About us

We are a passionate team of wāhine Māori from Taranaki, dedicated to caring for Papatūānuku and reconnecting our whānau with the whenua.

3

COURSES

55

NEW MAARA

4

PROJECTS

450

HOSTED

Our Philosophy

Our purpose is to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the beauty and bounty of Papatūānuku. We aim to rekindle the innate connection that binds us all to the soil, the plants, and the cycles of life. Through maara kai, we find not only nourishment for our physical bodies but also a sanctuary for our wairua.

Our Values

Drawing inspiration from ngā kaupapa of Hua Parakore, we integrate these values into our organisations and the mahi we undertake. As we restore the mauri within our soils, our ngahere, , maara kai, and wai sources, we honour and nurture our connection to Te Taiao.

Our Vision

Te Rau o Rongo Charitable Trust is committed to reconnecting with the Whenua to facilitate healing, recovery, and revitalisation of traditional Kai cultivation.

Our Impact

Between 2023-2024

- We educated 450 people

- 90% māori whanau

- 3 Iwi led maara programmes held at Te Rau o Rongo

- 1 Wananga programme held at Te Rau o Rongo

Our Trustees

A skilled and dynamic wahine toa team dedicated to Papatūānuku, bringing decades of governance experience, sustainable education, and research expertise to the organisation.

Kim Skelton

Trustee

Te Ati Awa, Taranaki, Ngāti Raukawa

Kim brings a wealth of governance experience as the Chair of Poutama Trust and as a Director of two asset-holding companies in Te Ātiawa (Taranaki).

She is dedicated to enhancing Iwi-Māori participation in the New Zealand economy through asset optimisation, leveraging indigenous talent, and embracing technology.

Additionally, Kim is passionate about Te Rau o Rongo, expressing her love for gardening and flower cultivation.

Susan Hutchinson Daniels

Trustee

Susan believes that when skilled gardeners share their expertise, we foster resilience and promote food sovereignty. As an experienced educator in sustainability, she understands the power of working with Papatuānuku, nurturing both ourselves and the soil.

At Te Rau o Rongo, we envision a center dedicated to well-being, health, peace, and prosperity.

Huia Lambie

Trustee

Ngāti Mutunga

Huia is passionate about kai resilience and brings her love of all things maara kai in and for Taranaki to her role as a Trustee.

A whaariki of experience includes iwi development, organic market gardening, Chair of the first Kohanga Kai Fund Komiti at Te Putahitanga o Te Wai Pounamu, and a long time home gardener.

Her happy place is the maara kai with the aim to "feed the street!”.

Te Kahurangi Skelton Pue

Trustee

Te Ati Awa, Ngati Maru, Ngati Raukawa, Taranaki

Currently Chair of Otago Māori Rugby and treasurer of Te Waipounamu Māori Rugby.

I am committed to the future of this whenua for generations to come, as it continually strengthens our connection to our whakapapa and cultural landscapes.