PVA kaimahi are a busy bunch, with projects, workshops and day to day support on the ground. Occasionally we get to a hui or wānanga to upskill, connect, share and replenish our mauri. This Autumn season we hear from Candace who shares about a wānanga she attended earlier in the year.

Hue Market ki Tāmaki Makaurau 2025

*Therese Mangos at an Enviroschool Hui August 2022*

My interest in hue came about several years ago when Therese Mangos presented at an Enviroschools hui in South Auckland where she shared some of her knowledge about hue (gourds). Being a keen gardener I was intrigued to learn more and to try to grow these myself. Growing kai had been my main focus in my home garden, so growing a plant for other uses and significance was a new phase in my gardening journey. Therese shared some seeds with me plus extra seeds to share out to the school community I am connected to in my Garden to Table mahi. A mention in a newsletter of hue seeds on offer was taken up by more that 50 schools across the motu.

Since then I have been on my hue journey, learning how they were one of the plants bought from Polynesia on waka, learning about their many uses, marveling in awe at their shapes and beauty and learning answers to issues we face now from these vessels of ancestral intelligence.

Facebook groups have popped up in the last few years which I have joined, hence learning about the Hue Market ki Tāmaki Makaurau 2025 in May. This event included a panel of hue growers, artists, scientists, Maramataka experts and gardeners guided by Te Ao Mōari and an art workshop with Numa MacKenzie and of course a market offering hue for sale in all shapes and sizes from across the motu. With a dried hue in tow that I had picked up at an op shop in Whāingaroa and notepad and pen I was ready to be immersed in all things hue.

Respected mātanga of Maramataka Rikki Soloman opened the day at Onehunga Community House with meaningful karakia and kōrero, organisers and hosts were introduced and thanked who had done a lot of work pulling the day together. The first panel then got underway with Numa Mackenzie, Putaanga Waitoa, Elsie Goodge, Bex Swan and Luke Baker talking all things hue; their journey, successes and challenges growing hue and ways they utilise hue in their various vocations. Elise and Puutanga shared delicate sounds from their Kōauau Ponga Ihu (small nose flutes) which manifested the aura of Hine Pū te hue.

With my unsuccessful attempts at growing hue I noted down some growing tips from the panel:

Hue don’t like:

water on their leaves
cold
wind

Hue like:

growing up trees
heat
soak seeds in awa before planting
charcoal added to soil
mulch with hemp sawdust
fresh soil each season
heavy feeders - feed throughout growing period
mawhai - companion plant
grow near an outdoor light to attract the moth which pollinates the hue flower at night (tip shared from Ursula Ellis Paterson at a later panel)

*L-R Elise Goodge, Putaanga Waitoa, Bex Swan, Luke Baker, Numa MacKenzie.*

The hue market was then opened up with growers offering hue for sale. It was truly joyous to be surrounded by so many options of size, colour and shape of hue. I walked away with a small green hue to test my drying skills.

Numa Mackenzie did an art workshop where he showed carving and dyeing techniques using a range of tools and dyes. People crowded around to see his skills whilst kōrero flowed around the room with people sharing knowledge rooted in traditions and their connection to te taiao.

Bark from Tānekaha dried and grinded down to make powder for dyeing, soot off kauri gum, washing hue in ocean…

Numa shared that working with hue is a way to connect with his ancestors, “a window into their world.” It was a privilege to be in the room to watch Numa and he encouraged everyone to not be afraid of taking the step to carve or dye a hue, rather “enjoy the process of walking with our ancestors”.

After lunch from the food trucks the final part of the day was a panel featuring Rikki Soloman, Rob Small, Ursula Ellis-Paterson and Raana Paterson. Mātauranga, tikanga and pūrākau were held in reverence from all speakers - a reminder of their crucial role, not just for growing hue but for our existence on this whenua.

Ngā mihi maioha to the organisers and speakers. I am excited for the upcoming hue growing season with some more hue growing knowledge and Mātauranga in my kete. Like the waves of peace and calm of Hine Pū te Hue may the waves of inspiration and knowledge flow from this wānanga. Mauri ora.

Hue Learning Journey

Grow to Share Wānanga