June 20, 2019
Peruperu path to cultural revival
Growing spuds could be a path to cultural revival.
A delegation from Nelson's Wakatū Incorporation has discovered the links between climate change, food security and culture.
Wakatū Incorporation chief executive Kerensa Johnson says the group met with whānau in the Andes who have been working on food sovereignty and adapting crops like potato for climate change.
She says while Wakatū has its land in commercial production for its kono food and beverage business, it is also thinking long term about preparing its families for climate change and making sure there is enough food to feed the rohe.
"What we saw which was a huge lesson for us was that as soon as families reconnect with their whenua, all those other things that some of those may have lost return – the karakia, all the ritual around the whenua, reading the whenua and the birds and so on, all of those skills we probably took for granted," Ms Johnson says.
Wakatū has invited the Peruvians to come to Aotearoa next year.
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