Sharing Kai is an important part of many celebrations and occasions in Maori culture. Sharing and preparing food together can also contribute to a sense of kotahitanga working together to achieve a collective outcome and the mana of both those preparing the food and those eating the food is recognised and strengthened when a meal is enjoyed. Having a feast of favourite and/or traditional food is also one of the ways that the reappearance of Matariki in our skies. With this in mind we decided that a feast including our tamariki in the preparation and sharing of food would be a great way to welcome the New Year. Today at Uxbridge our Hakari included a lovingly homemade vegetable soup and bread! Our feast was perfect timing for the harvesting of our garden too. Our Kai basket was also placed out for contributions of vegetables all throughout the week and we received very generous koha (gifts) from all of our whānau. While preparing the vegetables at the kai table, there was many offers of help. It was fun to work alongside each other on the purposeful task of peeling and chopping the vegetables. We added onion, kumara, carrot, pumpkin, potato, leeks, onions and picked some fresh herbs from our garden to add to the pot. The children contributed in some way whether it was in the preparation of the food, making the table decorations, setting the table or in of course, eating the food!! We said our Karakia and everyone enjoyed the delicious, nutritious soup with several asking for more helpings.
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