MAHIKA KAI

Set against the wild terrain of Wānaka, MAHIKA KAI follows a family of Kāi Tahu cultural conservators and knowledge-holders on their mission to rehabilitate disintegrating landscapes through the regeneration of their traditional food gathering practices.

Tūmai Cassidy’s tautiakitaka (guardianship) draws on the wisdom of his ancestors, restoring both traditional Māori food sources such as tuna (eel) and Weka (bird), as well as the language intrinsic to these practices. Tūmai’s Whānau (family) hold a deep connection to, and understanding of, this place. Overcoming the destruction of colonisation that caused the decline of their whenua (land), their efforts in caring for Country are bringing vitality and renewed growth to their communities and the local ecosystems.

Written by Kieran Satour