He Puāwai Trust
A whānau-led approach to community kai development in Te Awakairangi (the Hutt Valley)
What`s New?
Introducing our new Papakāinga Māra Ora Program.
Papakāinga Māra Ora is the next stage of our Māra Ora development - where we support whanau to grow at home if they have space, instead of one of our allotment sites - expanding our growing out into the wider community.
This program brings kai sovereignty into the homes of our communities by supporting whanau to build their own thriving, backyard māra (garden).
How it works:
You get home visits by one of our team to help you prep your site, plant, and troubleshoot.
You get access to all classes an workshops run at your local Māra Ora site,
where you can access free seedlings, information, and connect with others.
You get help with tools and equipment and are gifted a fruit tree to acknowledge your new growing journey!
Thanks to our funders, Tākiri Mai Te Ata and Hutt City Council, this program is all FREE.
Terms and conditions apply. For more info and to sign up - fill out the form below and we`ll be in touch!
Pomare, Lower Hutt
In Pomare, we support whānau to grow their own food through our Māra Ora (living gardens) initiative. We work alongside the community to restore and develop sustainable food systems, promoting food security and resilience. Our mahi focuses on creating accessible spaces where people can connect, learn, and grow kai together, strengthening local food sovereignty and well-being.
Currently there are allotment spaces available, thanks to those that helped us expand the site through the Summer. The Pomare facilitator is Teina.
Wainuiomata - helping to grow the bright spots.
By supporting Kokiri Marae Pātaka Kai we have helped them increase their kai production and do a full conversion to an urban farm model that provides increasing amounts of kai to the Pātaka. We are excited to be supporting the further development of a local kai network in Wainuiomata by partnering with Wainuiomata College as they look to develop a large Māra kai on their school grounds. Please get involved if you are keen to be part of this educational opportunity for both rangatahi and community!
Stokes Valley Māra.
Our first Māra Ora site on Council land, we developed this site alongside the community of Stokes Valley and the Hurricanes Rugby team in November 2023. It is home to many allotments and weekly free workshops to the community, kura, schools and different partnering organizations. It supports our weekly Kai Share event on Thursdays in Stokes Valley, as well as the Stokes Valley Foodbank. Monthly Tipu (seedling) sessions provide free seedlings to anyone who comes along.
Our Kaupapa
“Learning to grow a Māra alongside others, has taught me what my Nan knew, and helped me make new friends. My kids eat better now”
—
Growing Change
He Puawai Trust has a mission to build resilience in whenua, whānau, and hāpori through restoring and developing sustainable, local food systems.
One of our strategic focuses is to shift the dial from kai crisis to resilience. We do this by providing opportunities for education and development in kai skills across Te Awa Kairangi, and by shaping community kai hubs and plans.
