Waikato-Tainui delivers a truck load of kai to Kāwhia Moana

Vulnerable families around the Kāwhia Harbour received 50 huge boxes of kai today from Waikato-Tainui.

Cath Holland, Waipapa marae trust chair and set-up organiser of the Kāwhia Moana Foodbank says they were overwhelmed by the speed at which the back-up came from the tribe.

“The speed and agility with which Waikato-Tainui responded to the needs of our marae whānau around the harbour has been stunning and we’re extremely grateful for the truck-load of kai. Even though we are now in Alert Level 2, we have enough kai for all of our families impacted by the lockdown including non-perishables of tin food, powder milk, coffee, tea, flour soup, biscuits, cakes, breakfast cereals, jams and peanut butter.  

This afternoon, our two stalwarts Shani Whitiora and Kelly Isherwood hit the road to Marokopa and Tahaaroa to drop off perishables like the vegetables, milk and bread to the southern - most whanau on the west coast. Our families really appreciate this kai because we don’t have a supermarket down the road to run to when we need kai.  All of our marae communities sit in isolation to essential services that we in town, take for granted,” Cath points out.

She acknowledges that lockdowns in Level 4 and now Level 2, along with vaccinations, are the only way to keep Aotearoa safe in dealing with the Delta strain that’s literally decimated thousands of people around the world.

Cath says these necessary precautions have become the new normal and it takes a lot of getting used to especially for families who live in marae communities around the precinct of the harbour.

“All of our marae affiliate to Te Whakakitenga, our tribal parliament, who provide financial support to our marae communities in a number of ways.  But it’s in these extraordinary times when we’re in lockdown mode that the need becomes even more apparent, so this support is hugely appreciated,” Cath says.

 Many of our parents, Cath says are beneficiaries, seasonal workers or they have been laid off during lockdown.  Money is short. Our families are struggling even more because of the impact of COVID.

“No jobs means no kai.  It’s a double whammy for some of our families and the tribal support means a lot to them.  Normally, we see Uncle Tumate Mahuta bringing out the tents in March for the poukai round.  But today he was one of two dropping off a truck-load of kai at Maketū.  Big thank you to you both Uncle Tumate.” 

“Getting our people vaccinated in outlying communities around our 8 marae is a challenge.  But again, we need to thank the tribe for providing outreach vaccination clinics to our people, for example, the services of Raukura Hauora o Tainui,” Cath notes.

Finally, she explains her role is focused on getting the Foodbank up and running as quickly as possible to meet the growing demand across our Marae.

“We’re doing this for our vulnerable families first and foremost.  But our small team of 4 plus myself are working as volunteers on behalf of the 8 local marae.  So a big shout out to Rick Tai, Troy Bennett, Shani Whitiora and Kelly Isherwood who are the ears, eyes and hands behind the foodbank doing the hard graft.  While we’re currently using a hired van to deliver the kai, we're looking for a permanent vehicle and a permanent base for the foodbank in the Kawhia.

What is clear is that if we don’t all play our part and get vaccinated to protect against the spread of COVID, then lockdowns and foodbanks will be permanent features on our local landscape for much longer than we initially anticipated – or wanted”, Cath concludes.