Karakia whakawaatea - Te Pae o Manukau Food Forest whenua
On Thursday 30th May, before dawn at approx 5.30am, we had the honour of having Mana Whenua open Te Pae o Manukau Food Forest with a Karakia Whakawaatea.
All gathered around the fire while Therese shares words, Mana whenua in orange hi-vis
A karakia whakawaatea can be seen as a spiritual blessing and clearing of space. Making the path forward free, lifting restrictions and uncovering the way for a safe journey. Respecting mana whenua and acknowledging tikanga made this blessing an essential part of the process, before any physical mahi commenced.
There was a fire going by the Boundary whare and another out on the whenua of the food forest site, close to the lonely Tītoki tree. All our waka plants and fruit trees yet to be planted, huddled around as if to hug the Tītoki. It was amazing to witness a big number of people of all walks, gather with us so early in the morning in support of this kai resilience vision many years in the making.
When the time came, mana whenua led us all through our Hue waka in a trail, right through the gated fence, circling the edge of the whenua following one another all the way round until we reached the ‘pito’. There we continued to circle, creating a porowhita around the lonely Tītoki.
In the calm breath of Tāwhirimātea and under a blanket of stars, we united in waiata māori, karakia, and few shared words of tautoko, and some about growing up in Ōtara and what this project means to them and what this will mean for the neighbourhood.
Our KaiWaka project co-leads and food forest kaitiaki Ana and Destiny went around with bowls of our compost made onsite at Boundary. Giving each person a single teaspoon. To hold that compost full of life in their hands and speak to it any intentions and aspirations for this food forest to be, then sprinkle it on the whenua. A small act to give their own blessing and marking their contribution as the first to manually enrich the soil of this soon-to-be ngāhere kai.
As light approached the horizon and mana whenua ended off karakia, Therese got us all warmed up and grooving with a fun dance game getting us each to signal the key navigational points - Raki North, Tonga South, Whitinga East and Tomokanga West. Solidifying this will be a fond memory.
It was an incredibly wholesome morning of unity, connection and replenishment of the wairua. We wish to thank all who came. And to our Manurewa work experience students, neighbourhood home bakers, local volunteers, Auckland council and local board for helping us to pull such a significant event together. On behalf of PVA, mālō ‘aupito. Together, we are nurturing a future that has the power to feed, educate, inspire and strengthen our people which is so desperately needed. Through this mahi we are remembering who we are - people who thrive in villages and in community.
Watch our reel to see snippets of this significant morning here.
Now the path is clear and restrictions are lifted, planting dates are coming soon.
Follow our local Facebook group for Boundary to keep updated: “Lets Grow Boundary”