Te Aho Tū Roa Poutautoko Rawinia Kingi shares some of the mahi happening around seed sharing and community building in Tairawhiti.
Under the Uawa sun, shaded by the apple trees at Rangiuia Rd we held our first Uawa seed and crop swap. A collaboration between ourselves, Taniwha Connections and Te Tinaku o Rangiuia Rd, a ray of sunshine amongst the dark grey clouds we have experienced.
We shared seeds, veges, herbs, trees, sage sticks, chilli paste and more. We sang, held karakia, shared pūrakau about the different Atua present on that day in the forms that were shared. We took a moment, to breathe, to reset and enjoy the energies of the day with each-other.
We had nannies, aunties, friends and our babies present, in total there were 20 of us sharing space and time in.
We came from Uawa, Turanga and as far as Wairoa, searching for aroha, mauri and maori driven kaupapa.
Of course we all left with more then what we arrived with. Nevertheless the feedback was positive. Those present suggesting that the seed & crop swap are held 2-3 times in a calender year and housed at different homes and locations.
With the cooler months ahead, Spring looks like the next best time to do so. From darkness into light.
Huge shout out to Te Whanau o Tinaku o Rangiuia!!! Rawinia and Rakai for providing and sharing their amazing space. Uawa Factory Road Native Nursery – Seed Rakau Maori. Eating Kahikatea berries!!! Paremata Orchard. Chloe Reeves, Barney Devery , Rob n whanau, our Persian Maurirere whanau. Koanga Seeds Paremata Orchard, all our local whanau n peeps! #TaniwhaConnect Whanau ki te Whenua
– Mere Tamanui of Taniwha
Seed swap whānau
