Creating Kai Sovereignty - March 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to the Biome Newsletter, March edition, featuring updates from our Giftees & local ecosystem.
In a world where natural disasters and global supply chain disruptions are becoming more prevalent, the building pressure on our food systems is revealing to us that the way we source kai as a population en masse, is incredibly fragile.
In many cases, large industrial food systems especially, may not have the best interests of the people at heart.
Kai sovereignty, and local food production, however - is a different story.
In the words of Michael Reynolds, in the latest Happen Films documentary, ”Food sovereignty speaks to our ability as communities to create systems to feed and nourish ourselves, in ways that are independent of the system. We’re stewarding systems that have our collective health & wellbeing at the forefront of the mission.”
Michael and the team at Roimata Food Commons in Ōtautahi Christchurch are creating long term kai solutions, making locally produced, organic food more available for people of all walks of life, for generations to come.
Highlighted below, please enjoy this monthly collection of updates from our local ecosystem.
Ngā mihi aroha
- Biome Trust
Giftee Updates
Happen Films new documentary The City Food Commons shares the story of Roimata Food Commons, an urban food forest initiative in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Watch here
The Regeneration Summit brings together inspiring doers & thought leaders in the regeneration arena - tune into the next online event on 7th April. More here
Ma Earth interviews Geoff Reid, filmmaker and restoration advocate on restoring Aotearoa’s forests, invasive plants, and calling out bad actors. More here
Mangaroa Farms had a successful Open Farms day with over 700 attendees, serving a delicious local lunch, & hosting various garden tours & farm demos. Watch the video here
Mangaroa Farms is hiring for an entrepreneurial Retail Lead for their local Food Hub & Farm Shop / Kete Kai. More here
The Learning Environment recently hosted local carvers to carve Hoe (paddles) with Rangatahi out of timber sourced from their ancestral Maunga - Ruapehu. More here
Happen Films are hosting a Patreon account, where subscribers can gain access to interviews & behind the scenes content. More here
One Earth highlights six global success stories on how rewilding key animal species can help to rebalance ecosystems. More here
Kōanga Institute is hosting a working bee from 29 March - 1 April to help winter-proof staff accommodation. More here
Rewiring Aotearoa released their ‘Electric Homes’ report showing the benefits of household electrification for saving Kiwis money & reduce emissions. More here
He Whenua Rongo Indigenous Seed Sovereignty event by Papawhakarito Trust has now sold out. Learn more
Additional News
Hikurangi Enterprises Whare Ora project aims to provide healthy, affordable and accessible housing for local residents in Te Tairawhiti. More here
Space Base has chosen six teams from New Zealand, Australia, and the Philippines to advance to the finals of Space for Planet Earth Challenge. More here
Ma Earth has released a Spice Playlist, featuring leading voices in the rights of nature, ecocide, and climate activism movements. More here
Whenua Warrior Kelly Francis & her team have planted over 1000 vegetable gardens in the last 2 years, to promote kai (food) sovereignty in Aotearoa. More here
