0800 KAI TAHU (0800 524 8248)
Ngāi Tahu Mahinga Kai is a lifestyle series featuring 12 ten minute episodes filmed in the stunning landscape of Te Waipounamu. It captures the stories and essence of traditional food gathering practices passed down through the generations.
The series offers a window into the lives of Ngāi Tahu whānau carrying on the food gathering traditions of their ancestors – from tūna and pātiki on the east coast, medicinal rongoā plants in the north and kanakana in the far south. Through our characters we explore the evolution of the practice – its past, present and future and we learn about the species and their natural environment.
Scroll down and watch each episode or jump straight to your favourite kai.
They’ve taken me under their wing to teach the next generation their methods.
I said to my wife,
don’t come between me and the lake.
I made a promise to keep pōhā alive.
It goes with our island.
It’s part of my culture.
It’s not just about making a mōkihi,
it’s about whakawhanaungataka.
…cultural resources were disappearing. Something needed to be done.
Putting food on the table
for us and our children after us.
It’s hand in hand with the resilience of our Māori people, still growing with pride.
We must look after the ngahere,
so the ngahere can look after us.
you can wake up in the morning and decide, oh well I’ll go whitebaiting today, and go out on the river and still make a good wage.
You’ve got to put something back.
You can’t just take.
They’re big and fat and lovely.
I love the things, can’t leave them alone.
Download the video transcript in te reo Māori and English.