He Puāwai Trust builds resilience in whenua, whānau and hāpori through restoring and developing sustainable, local food systems. This is achieved by creating a network of interconnected kai hubs that are grounded in a Te ao Māori approach. The heart of our mahi are Māra Ora (food gardens). Each one has veggie plots dedicated to their local foodbanks, for whānau to grow their own kai and plots for growing larger crops communally. They have composting bays that take the surrounding communities kitchen wastes, greenhouses to grow seedlings in and a facilitator onsite that supports whānau to grow organic, heritage fruit and vegetables. Māra Ora are designed to work with foodbanks to support those living with the greatest kai insecurity: Māori, Pacifika, the unhomed, migrants, refugees and whānau unable to afford to provide adequate kai. These are not just places to grow food, they are healing spaces that bring communities together and connect to whenua. Last year, we developed 3 thriving Māra Ora that now supply literally a tonne of kai to whānau and foodbanks every season. We hire within the communities we serve through a living-wage paid internship in organic horticulture. Graduates become Māra Ora facilitators in our Māra Ora.