Vote for Kai Whakataurangi / pledge

31 Mar

A call for a just, resilient food system for Aotearoa.

Ground all food system governance in Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Place the food needs 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.
Investigate how we ensure all in Aotearoa New Zealand have access to affordable nutritious kai across the whole food supply chain.

Recognise the tikanga-based relationship of respect and reciprocity between people and our taiao, as the foundation for how we set and uphold welfare standards.
Create pathways for adaptation to ensure everyone carries the climate risk felt by the whole of our food system.
Create long term funding for extension programmes & researchthat support the transition to 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.

Uphold Tangata Whenua kai sovereignty and mana motuhake.
Support the development of a public procurement framework (e.g. food in schools and hospitals) that prioritises local economies, sustainable production and human health, with local communities having the first option of delivering services.
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

Teach and resource mahinga kai practices - food growing, harvesting, protection , hunting, gathering, cooking, and nutrition - from early childhood to high 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 healthy school lunch programme that upholds the health and wellbeing of all tamariki and that local communities are resourced to provide
Create healthy food environments - less fast food and more good food where people live
Protect children from harmful food marketing

Recognise and protect the ability for tangata whenua to feed themselves and manuhiri from their own whenua and moana as protected under Te Tiriti O Waitangi
Support hospitality and food businesses ensuring food safety requirements are fit for purpose and local infrastructure is supported to upscale to accommodate local needs.
Ensure food safety regulation is fit for purpose for small scale growers and producers, with compliance burden proportional to scale.
Champion food tourism grounded in Hua Parakore, organic and regenerative, culturally appropriate values where the relationship between people, whenua, moana and animals is visible in what is served, and how.
Recognise the opportunity to tell our Aotearoa New Zealand food story through regional and national events.

Ensure everyone has a liveable income and can afford healthy food, starting with increasing MSD hardship grant rates for food and adjusting annually.
Ensure adequate, multi-year funding through MSD's Food Secure Communities programme for the community food sector to support whānau with sufficient food.
Expand the Community Food Initiatives Fund to support food security projects.
Continue to invest in initiatives that strengthen long-term food security through partnering with rūnanga, hapū, iwi, marae, whānau, and communities.
Encourage long term local food security plans as part of council long term plans, with iwi partners.

Read more about the Background of the Whakataurangi/Pledge here.