Kauhanga Community Maara - Kamehameha

Growing a Shared Vision

Kauhanga Community Māra was established by Te Paatū ki Kauhanga Trust to strengthen food security, climate resilience and mātauranga Māori on ancestral whenua.

Work began in February 2025, transforming part of the Kauhanga Māori Reservation into a shared space where whānau could grow kai, reconnect with whenua and learn together.

The late Marsh Fletcher helped lead and guide the kaupapa from concept to a functioning community asset, bringing practical knowledge and whānau together throughout its development..

Building the Maara

Major infrastructure included raised garden beds, a rain-fed water system and propagation shade house, supported by earthworks, pathways and site preparation. Long-term plans incorporate heritage seeds, fruit trees, companion planting and climate-resilient growing practices.

Persistent rain and delays in materials tested the project, while also demonstrating the value of the rain-harvesting system when the new tank filled earlier than expected.

Growing Together

The māra became an intergenerational project, bringing kaumātua, adults, rangatahi and tamariki together to build, plant and share knowledge. Peria School students, teachers, staff and parent volunteers also became involved, strengthening connections between the māra, education and community.

Local and regional partners contributed materials, technical expertise, equipment and practical support. A partnership with the Koanga Institute also introduced heritage seeds, regenerative growing methods and food sovereignty practices.

Looking Ahead

The infrastructure and planting plans now provide the foundation for a long-term, community-led māra. Future planting, workshops and learning opportunities will continue to strengthen food resilience, cultural knowledge and connections between whānau and whenua.

Kauhanga Community Māra is designed to keep growing—with the aspirations and participation of Te Paatū ki Kauhanga whānau shaping what comes next.