About

R.E.K.A

“Rapua E te iwi nga Kai o nga Atua”,

 translates as

“People search for the food of the gods”.  

R.E.K.A was established in 2008 as an educational project aimed at achieving holistic wellness for Maori by returning to the ways of our tipuna/ancestors - growing, gathering and eating fresh food directly from the land.

Current health statistics clearly show too may Maori are dying prematurely of heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes and asthma and all these diseases can be linked to inadequate nutrition and sedentary lifestyles.

R.E.K.A wananga were held in six Ngati Awa marae from 2009 to 2011 within the realm of Te Ao Maori/Maori culture.

Workshops were delivered to members of the hapu/subtribes of each marae in three areas; Maara Kai, Healthy Eating and Daily Physical Activity.

These workshops delivered together on the marae offer spiritual, cultural, physical and emotional learning about holistic wellness to whanau/families.

R.E.K.A workshops teaching hapu members how to grow, gather and prepare kai/food, cook tasty and nutritious meals for their whanau/families were delivered by a team of experts. Hapu members are encouraged to take their new-found knowledge home to implement and share with other family members and friends.

The concepts of permaculture were used to establish no-dig maara kai/vegetable gardens and orchards to supply fresh, organically-grown food.

The reduction in catering costs for marae hui/meetings, tangihanga/funerals, weddings and birthdays is also a key benefit.

A healthy cooking component teaching hapu how to eat from their maara kai; what herbs to use in dishes, how to prepare and cook tasty, nutritious meals and lots of tips about healthy eating were delivered to those hapu members who prefer working in the kitchen rather than the garden.

Daily physical activity was promoted in R.E.K.A wananga for those not interested in the gardens or kitchens with zumba, belly dancing, hula and poi. The tamariki were encouraged to play with balls, hula hoops and skipping ropes or help in the workshops if they preferred.

R.E.K.A is now available to be delivered at any marae throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

R.E.K.A  in Kohanga Reo, Early Childhood Centres and schools is also available.