The Big Kai
Redesign

Reimagining Food Systems in Taranaki

Introduction

Our kai is more than food ~ it connects us to the whenua, our tūpuna, and future generations. The Big Kai Redesign is a movement to restore mana and mauri to our kai systems, blending indigenous wisdom with innovative circular economy approaches for a resilient, thriving Taranaki.

Definition

Use of ‘Kai’ and ‘Food’ in this Project

In this project, the term ‘kai’ is used deliberately as an aspirational concept that embodies more than just food. Kai represents a vital source of life, cultural identity, and connection that nurtures the wellbeing of people, their whakapapa, and their environment. It honours Māori values, tikanga, and mātauranga, reflecting the relational and holistic nature of indigenous food systems.

In contrast, the term ‘food’ is used in places to reflect the current mainstream status or general understanding within wider contexts and systems. While ‘food’ typically refers to consumables in a commercial or industrial setting, ‘kai’ conveys the deeper cultural, spiritual, and environmental relationships sought through the redesign of our local food systems.

By intentionally distinguishing between ‘kai’ and ‘food’, this project aims to elevate indigenous perspectives and frame kai systems as regenerative, mana-centred, and deeply connected to te Taiao and whanaungatanga, supporting long-term health and resilience for our communities and environment.

About the Project

The Big Kai Redesign is a collaborative kaupapa led by The Rautāpatu Foundation and supported by our research partners: The Bioeconomy Science Institute AgResearch and Pūrangakura. Our community partners include TOI Foundation who have invested in our Community-Led focus in order to transform our local food system. The Big Kai Redesign aims to:

Uplift the values of mana, sustainability, and circularity
Create a Mana-Centred Kai Systems Strategy and Action Plan
Address challenges like food insecurity, environmental harm, and public health outcomes.
Foster community-led, indigenous-driven solutions rooted in regenerative practices and innovative design

This project is about Systems Change and that means we will weave together policies, resources, relationships, power structures, and cultural mindsets to achieve lasting transformation of kai systems in Taranaki.

As an indigenous-led movement, it also contributes meaningfully to numerous United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by fostering resilient communities, sustainable environments, and inclusive economic growth grounded in te ao Māori values.

Our brand, reflects our commitment to a Mana-centred kai system that integrates indigenous values with global sustainability principles to build resilient, thriving communities in Taranaki.

Price, Value, and Cost of Our Current Food System

In Taranaki, the price of our current food system is felt deeply. Although we grow enough kai to feed many, the focus on export markets means local whānau often find nutritious kai out of reach, leading to poorer health and wellbeing. Meanwhile, the whenua and wai systems suffer from the environmental toll of industrial agriculture—biodiversity loss, soil damage, and polluted waterways. This “cost” isn’t carried by industry, and it is not always visible on supermarket shelves, but impacts us all.

Key reasons why this matters include:

Many whānau experience barriers to accessing affordable, healthy food that is culturally
connected and sustainable.
Export-driven models prioritise profits over local wellbeing and the health of Te Taiao.
Environmental degradation from conventional farming practices harms ecosystems and
reduces long-term food security.
The loss of connection between people and the source of their kai weakens cultural identity
and community resilience.
The true value of kai lies beyond price tags ~ it is a taonga that nurtures life, culture, and
relationships for generations.

The Big Kai Redesign invites us to acknowledge these costs while revaluing our food system through indigenous wisdom and circular economy principles. Together, we can grow a kai system that regenerates the environment, supports thriving whānau, and honours our cultural heritage.

Key Concepts

A Kai System encompasses all parts of the food supply chain ~ not just what we see as consumers ~ including the production, storage, processing, transportation, distribution, consumption, and waste management of kai, all interconnected to create a sustainable and resilient ecosystem.

The Big Kai Redesign invites us all to reimagine how every element of the food supply and value chain can be transformed through the guiding principles of mana, sustainability, circularity, and the deep cultural value of kai.

KAI

Kai embodies more than food; it is an essential source of life, cultural identity, and connection that nurtures the wellbeing of people and their environment.

MANA

Mana is the foundational principle that guides respectful relationships, empowering communities to regain authority, dignity, and spiritual connection in food systems.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability ensures that our kai systems regenerate the environment, support health, and uphold cultural values for present and future generations.

CIRCULARITY

Circularity in kai systems models a regenerative economy that eliminates waste, maximises resource use, and mirrors indigenous values of sharing and stewardship.

Why Mana Centred?

Mana is a foundational concept of this kaupapa, signifying energy, power, and an intrinsic connection to the natural world. It guides how we value and engage with each other and our environment. In this plan, Mana is the core principle driving our approach to building sustainable and culturally centred food systems. It informs every stage of our engagement, aligning our objectives with the well-being of both people and the planet.

The Big Kai Redesign is all about us being able to understand community perspectives and effectively develop a Mana-Centred Kai System Strategy.

Why It Matters

Our food system is under pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic models focused more on exports than caring for our land and ecosystems (Te Taiao).

Many whānau face challenges accessing nourishing kai, despite the abundance of natural
resources and cultural knowledge in Taranaki.
Disconnection from traditional food sources affects not only health but also cultural identity,
community wellbeing, and environmental health.
The Big Kai Redesign aims to restore the mana and mauri of our kai by strengthening relationships between people, land, and water.
It supports healthier whānau, vibrant cultures, and thriving communities.
The project encourages food practices that regenerate ecosystems and sustain our environment for future generations.
By blending indigenous knowledge with innovative, circular economy principles, it creates a resilient, sustainable food system for Taranaki’s future.
This approach builds economic opportunities that
benefit all people living in the region while honouring
cultural values and environmental stewardship.

Get Involved

We invite you to be part of this transformative journey from
mid-October 2025 through to June 2026. Your voice and
insights will help shape the future of Taranaki’s kai systems.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses in our food system will provide the opportunity to identify appropriate responses that could contribute to solving some of the biggest challenges facing our region and country today. After we gather data, we will be analysing the contributions made which will be then used to co-design strategic responses to key themes that will contribute to transforming how our kai system delivers better health, societal, environmental and economic outcomes for everyone living in Taranaki.

Our Engagement focus is to inform and catalyse community kōrero about the importance of kai and kai systems to achieving a cultural response and a range of social, environmental and economic goals.

How can you get involved: we have designed a range of activities to gather your thoughts, insights and aspirations:

Community-wide Survey: Collecting broad feedback to understand needs, values, and aspirations around food and wellbeing.
One-on-One Interviews: Conversations with food system actors and marae communities to gain deep, personal insights.
Marae Community Readiness Assessments: Evaluating marae preparedness to participate and
contribute to this kaupapa
Regional Wānanga: Safe, collective spaces to explore the values we hold with kai, set aspirations, and co-design strategies that build hauora and circularity into our local economy. (Dates to be finalised soon.)

Whānau, hapū, organisations, and all interested community members are welcome to engage at any level. Together, we can revitalise our kai systems in a way that honours our values and future generations.

Join the waitlist to stay updated and receive an invitation to participate in all engagement activities as they unfold.

Join The Waitlist

Engagement & Updates

We believe in transparent, ongoing communication with our communities. Here’s how you can stay involved:

Wānanga to hear updates and provide feedback
Our website with project news, and resources
Email updates and newsletter sharing progress and stories
Social media engagement and community events

Your voice strengthens this movement — keep connected for the latest kai system innovations and opportunities to engage.

Resources & Contact

For more information, downloadable documents, and

background materials on the Big Kai Redesign,
contact us directly:

Email: kiaora@thebigkairedesign.nz
Phone: 021 47 6692

We welcome kōrero, questions, and collaboration as we journey together to revitalise Taranaki’s kai systems.