Welcome to our December 2022 Pānui
Kia tu nonu i te aroha.
To always stand in love.
As 2022 draws to a close we cast our thoughts and hearts back across the year and the journey we have made together. Our Kore Hiakai kaimahi whānau are struck by the number of inspiring individuals, thoughtful leaders, organisations, collaborations, innovations, mārae, iwi and hapū, funders, decision makers and producers deeply committed to a food secure Aotearoa. It is such a privilege to be a part of all your mahi!
As Kore Hiakai met, drank 1000 cups of tea, and worked alongside you this year, we witnessed your depth of motivation to champion one another; to acknowledge and uphold the mana of each other – to always stand in love. You’ve listened intently, celebrated each other’s stories and spoke up when needed. This all comes from a place of aroha – of love.
As many of us prepare to pause for a much-deserved summer break, Kore Hiakai take this time to give sincere thanks to all those in our networks who have stood so compassionately in love.
May the spirit of Christmas bring you joy, health and happiness as we prosper into a new year.
aoteroa food parcel measure resources
Exciting news! Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective are thrilled to release an amazing new series of resources, ready to inspire you towards onboarding the Aotearoa Food Parcel Measure (AFPM). The AFPM helps us monitor and quantify the number of food parcels distributed across Aotearoa, and to share this insightful data through a populated dashboard. Resources can be downloaded here.
mihi to afpm resources co-designers
Big mihi and thank you to Kairos Connection Trust and the University of Otago who co-designed the AFPM resources with Kore Hiakai to support foodbanks and other community food distributors compile nutritionally adequate food parcels. Registered Nutritionists from Otago’s department of Human Nutrition Masters programme assessed the recommended nutritional aspect of a standard food parcel for daily intake across the food groups (veges, fruits, grains, proteins and dairy). While Kairos Connection Trust tested these recommendations, helping refine the pitch to best equip front line kai distributors that support whānau receiving food parcels.
kai central launch
Kore Hiakai are excited to support Aotearoa Kai Journey’s launch of their new Kai Central website. Intended as a place to find resources around community kai and systems change, it is an open-source site to share content to empower each other.
“Kai Central is a digital platform focused on redesigning the food system in Aotearoa. We believe that the food system isn't broken; it's working exactly as it was designed to, and therein lies the opportunity for us all to redesign our food ecosystem together.”
The Aotearoa Kai Journey is led by Rākau Tautoko and The Good Fale – social enterprises that focus on community led projects, social impact design and systems disruption. Learn more here.
child poverty monitor
Kore Hiakai bring to your attention the release of the Child Poverty Monitor 2022, released by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner in partnership with the Peter McKenzie Project.
Whilst the report holds many stories of hope and resourcefulness of our tamariki and rangatahi, it is also a cause for pause to reflect on those for whom things are not getting better and continue doing it tough.
Whilst our overall population statistics around child poverty are dropping, in certain demographics they are worse and more intense. The report also highlights the increasing nature of food insecurity, and the ongoing impacts of the COVID pandemic contributing to that.
As we attempt to build an Aotearoa where all of us thrive, we must not take our eyes off where thriving remains out of reach. Learn more here.
mana kai roadmap release
“Aotearoa Circle and the Mana Kai Leadership Group are delighted to announce the official launch of The Mana Kai Initiative, which has brought together sector experts to build a national food network that creates a productive, inclusive, sustainable food system here in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Release of the Mana Kai Initiative Roadmap, offering a framework for Aotearoa New Zealand’s food systems, can be found here.
sustainable development goals
sdg #2 zero hunger
this month: cop27 reflections
Last month Egypt hosted the 27th United Nations international climate change conference, with a food systems pavilion for the first time in its history. As Cop27 ended at the end of November, reflections began that there is still much work to be done towards the sustainable development goals.
Check out this reflection from Spira:
“The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) puts food systems in the conference for the first time. Read our analysis of what this mean for Aotearoa, New Zealand.”
And these pieces from foodtank:
“At COP27, I noticed food systems being discussed left and right. Across many pavilions, dozens of panels, countless amazing speakers. But here’s the thing: That didn’t necessarily translate into the high-level policy decisions that came out of this COP. We did not see the aggressive, ambitious goal-setting we hoped for, neither from governments nor business.
think links
this month: EIT Te Pūkenga Policy Think Tank released a paper showing what is needed [from their experience] to move from food security to food sovereignty
“Moving from food security to food sovereignty requires mātauranga Māori and a renewal of relationships with indigenous food systems, EIT Te Pūkenga Māori and Indigenous Research Professor David Tipene-Leach says.” This pilot project is helping to lead the way. Read more here.
dig deeper
this month: strawberries – a berry yum tradition
For many around the motu summer just wouldn’t be the same without a whānau favourite bowl of strawberries, maybe drizzled with fresh cream or chopped into oozing layers of sponge and runny custard. However it goes, whatever variety you’ve got, there’s one thing for certain – now is the perfect time to protect your blooming festive fruits AND re-love old materials while doing so!
Check out this ‘oldies but goodies’ recycling tips to help protect your strawberries, and a few other great recycling ideas to help add a little festive sparkle to your gardens any time of year.
Having made it to the end of December and a busy year pushing through, now is the time to pause, rest, and be with whānau. Kore Hiakai remain hopeful about what we can continue to build together, so that all in Aotearoa thrive.
We are grateful for your inspiration and for uplifting and strengthening us with your tenacity and courage. Please know what you do does make a difference as we each do our part to bring a food secure Aotearoa into realization. Thank you for all you have given us!
From all of us to all of you – may you find rest and joy this summer, and continue to stand in love.
Ngā mihi maioha - Kore Hiakai Kaimahi
Kia tu nonu i te aroha.
To always stand in love.