Enhancing Maori food security using traditional kai

• Published in: Promotion & education Vol. 22; no. 3; p. 15
• Main Authors: McKerchar, Christina, Bowers, Sharron, Heta, Craig, Signal, Louise, Matoe, Leonie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saint-Denis Cedex International Union for Health Promotion and Education 01.09.2015
• Subjects: Developed Nations; Food supply; Health care policy; Health promotion; Literature Reviews; Malayo Polynesian Languages; Nutrition; Public health; New Zealand
• ISSN: 1757-9759; 1757-9767

Lack of food security is one of the major nutrition issues facing Mãori today. Loss of traditional kai (food) gathering places and practices following colonisation and urbanisation has impacted negatively on food security for Mãori. This paper explores the role of Mãori in enhancing Mãori food security through revitalising traditional kai. A narrative literature review of peer reviewed and grey literature on revitalising traditional kai for Mãori was conducted. The focus was on two areas: increasing the availability of traditional kai to Mãori households (such as through replenishing fish stocks, and gardening projects) and increasing the financial means available to Mãori households to purchase food (by economic development of traditional kai industries and employment creation). A range of activities to improve food security for Mã ori by revitalising traditional kai was identified in the literature. Mãori are now significant players in New Zealand's fishing industry, and are developing their horticultural resources. Gardening initiatives have also grown considerably in Mãori communities. Enabling factors included: the return of traditional kai resources by the Crown, and successful pursuit by Mãori of the legal rights to develop them; development of Mãori models of governance; government policy around Mãori economic development and healthy eating; and Mãori leadership on the issue. Barriers to revitalising traditional kai that remain to be addressed include: tensions between Government and Mãori goals and models of resource management; economic pressures resulting in severely depleted fishing stocks; and pollution of marine and freshwater fish. Revitalising traditional kai has considerable potential to improve food security for Mãori, both directly in terms of food supply and by providing income, and warrants policy and practical support. These findings have implications for other indigenous cultures who are struggling to be food secure.