Mahinga Kai

What is Mahinga Kai?

Mahinga Kai is a strong value of our local Mana Whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri. In short meaning to both use and protect our local resources, through working as a community, educating and protecting our local environment.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, the Avon Ōtākaro Network and the Canterbury Waterways Research centre have agreed to work together to develop Mahinga kai in Christchurch.  

Mahinga kai, meaning to mahi ngā kai (work the food), is a management concept. Therefore a way of thinking that involves and understands the simultaneous protection and use of resources. So Ngāi Tahu approach this from an integrated management model known as Ki Uta Ki Tai (from the mountains to the sea). 

According to mana whenua, mahinga kai is a key Ngāi Tahu value for earthquake recovery. So it is an important aspect of the Ngāi Tahu Settlement Claim. 

Mahinga kai is the concept that exemplifies the complex, interconnected cultural beliefs and practices of Ngāi Tahu in relation to the environment. So this describes not only the species gathered but the places and practices involved in doing so. Including the direct and indirect use of resources for ceremonial, medicinal and sustenance purposes. 

Ngāi Tahu supports the metaphor of a plaited rope with the weaving of exotic and indigenous species, and of Pākehā and Ngāi Tahu traditions. 

Ngāi Tahu interprets mahinga kai in its broadest sense to include food for body, mind and spirit. Therefore Education, learning (‘food for thought’) and spiritual sustenance are as much a part of the project as physical food.