Te Whaanau Maara

For Caleb, his maara kai is more than just a garden. It's a way of showing his aroha, a connection to his culture & tuupuna. He shares his story of growing a maara kai and caring for his Maamaa with aroha and warmth. He has learned a lot, but particularly, that you can live well with diabetes. 

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Caleb's Maamaa is a proud Tainui woman deeply connected to Turangawaewae Marae. She's always been hardworking and active.  She has found great joy in her garden, a love passed down from her parents. 

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The whaanau live together in the whaanau homestead, surrounded by the whenua that holds so much meaning for them. Wanting to bring some of that joy back into her life, Caleb started a maara kai. It was a real effort, but seeing his Maamaa's face light up when they share gardening tips, or make a salad with ingredients all homegrown from the maara kai makes it all worthwhile.