Watch Māori Television reporter Mere McLean interview HRC Ngā Kanohi Kitea recipient Mate Heitia about her project 'Exploring aspects of Food Security and Sovereignty with R.E.K.A Trust in Whakatane':
https://teaomaori.news/reka-hopes-improve-food-standards-maori-whanau
You can read a lay summary about this research project below:
This research sets out to examine how healthy kai influence the lives of Māori communities and to assess the barriers/strengths for sustainable food security and wellbeing. In Aotearoa, 10 per cent of families/households experience low food security. Māori and Pacific families are more likely to be affected than any other ethnic group. We aim to assess food insecurity issues and find out what enables Māori communities to enjoy healthy lifestyles, with a key focus on food sovereignty. Photovoice, a participation action research method, provides a voice for communities to share their experiences of healthy kai, food security and food sovereignty strategies. Our aims are to record and revive food security strengths and concerns; promote dialogue and knowledge about nutrition and health through group discussion using photographs; and to emphasise the importance of food sovereignty strategies, which include traditional knowledge and tikanga associated with food and wellbeing.