Hei kōrero o ō tātou mahinga kai – what does mahinga kai mean to Ngāi Tahu whānau today?
Six regional forums are currently being established by Toitū Te Whenua to support Ngāi Tahu whānau with the management of mahinga kai. The purposes of each forum are to encourage Ngāi Tahu whānau, who have an interest and passion in mahinga kai, to share their goals and aspirations and outline what issues they are experiencing in relation to health and sustainability of mahinga kai. This will help Toitū Te Whenua to focus our resources on the key mahinga kai areas and resources of importance to Ngāi Tahu whānau within each region.

Hui are currently being held with Ngāi Tahu whānau and their respective papatipu rūnanga to discuss this kaupapa.

The first round of regional forums will begin in September. Dates and venues so far include:

Te Tai o Marokura/Kaikōura region – Saturday 8 September, at Takahanga Marae, beginning at 9am.
Te Tai o Mahaanui/Canterbury region – Hosted by Te Rūnanga o Koukourārata at Port Levy. A date is currently being sought. Information will be forwarded onto rūnanga offices in the Canterbury region once a date has been confirmed.
Aoraki/South Canterbury region – Saturday 6 October 2012, at Arowhenua Marae, beginning at 10am.
Te Tai o Araiteuru/Otago region – hosted by Te Rūnanga o Moeraki. A date is currently being sought. Information will be forwarded onto rūnanga offices in the Otago region once a date has been confirmed.
Murihiku/Southland region – Saturday 27 October 2012, at Te Rau Aroha Marae Bluff, beginning at 10am.
Te Tai Poutini/West Coast region – Both a date and venue are yet to be confirmed.

If you are interested in attending and participating in any of these forums, or if you have any questions then please call Joe Wakefield on (03) 234 8196 or 021 832 137 or you can email him at [email protected]