Vote for Kai Call - Toiora Whakapūmau Kai
A call for a just, resilient food system for Aotearoa.
Toiora Whakapūmau Kai speaks to the enduring wellbeing of kai: the conditions that allow whenua, wai, kai, whānau, communities and future generations to flourish. It names a shared kawenga to uphold kai systems that nourish people, protect the taiao, honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and sustain the oranga of mokopuna.
1. Put all who live in Aotearoa New Zealand First in Food Decisions - centering te tiriti, people & communities
Ground all food system governance in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including meaningful decision-making authority for tangata whenua.
Place the nourishment, dignity and wellbeing of all who live in Aotearoa New Zealand at the centre of our food system.
Cross-party action on food security that persists beyond election cycles.
Give communities a real voice in food system decisions - to inform cross-party decision making.
Create cross-ministry teams working on food that report to a Minister of Food or commissioner for food.
Ensure all in Aotearoa New Zealand have access to affordable nutritious kai across the whole food supply chain.
2. Connect kai/Food, Farming & te taiao/the Environment
Recognise tikanga-based relationships of respect, reciprocity & kawenga between people, kai, animals and our taiao - the foundation for how we set and uphold welfare standards.
Create pathways for climate adaptation so risks and responsibilites are fairly shared across the food system.
Fund extension programmes & research that support Hua Parakore, organic, regenerative and non-GMO producers to collaborate & grow supply across Aotearoa.
Stop food from going to landfill by investing in decentralised infrastructure, from food rescue to community composting.
Ensure animals have a good life by steady, meaningful improvement in animal welfare standards.
3. Grow Strong Regional kai/Food Economies
Uphold Tangata Whenua kai sovereignty and mana motuhake.
Support public procurement frameworks (e.g. food in schools and hospitals) that prioritises local economies, sustainable production and human health.
Level food safety rules, processes & communication so small and medium producers can thrive alongside larger corporate interests.
Create a freight equalisation scheme for essential food, including grains, across Aotearoa waterways.
4. Invest in Health, Not Just Healthcare - he kai he rongoā, he rongoā he kai
Teach and resource mahinga kai practices - food growing, harvesting, hunting, gathering, cooking, preserving, sharing and nutrition - from early childhood to secondary school, as determined by each place.
Recognise that producers are addressing preventative health issues through access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
Protect and expand a nourishing school lunch programme that upholds the mana, health and wellbeing of all tamariki and that works with local community.
Create healthy food environments - less fast food and more good food where people live, learn, work and gather.
Protect children from harmful food marketing.
5. Celebrate & protect our kai/Food Cultures
Recognise and protect the right of tangata whenua to feed themselves and manuhiri from their own whenua and moana as protected under Te Tiriti O Waitangi.
Recognise the importance of hospitality and food businesses ensuring all regulations are fit for purpose, so they can thrive.
Ensure food safety regulations are proportionate to scale, so small-scale growers and producers can operate safely and sustainably.
Champion kai/food tourism which centres values including the relationship between people, whenua, moana, kai and animals. This should be grounded in Hua Parakore, organic, regenerative or other culturally appropriate values.
Tell the kai stories of Aotearoa through regional and nationals events, grounded in place, whakapapa, culture and community.
6. Ensure a Food Secure Aotearoa New Zealand - kai security for all
Ensure everyone has a liveable income and can afford healthy food, starting with increasing MSD hardship grant rates for food and adjusting annually.
Provide adequate, multi-year funding through MSD's Food Secure Communities programme for the community food sector to support whānau with sufficient kai/food.
Expand the Community Food Initiatives Fund to support food security projects.
Continue to invest in initiatives that strengthen long-term food security through genuine partnership with rūnanga, hapū, iwi, marae, whānau, and communities.
Embed local food security plans as part of council long term plans, with iwi partners and local communities.
Read more about the Background of the Toiora Whakapūmau Kai here.
