Since the integration of our māra kai, the tamariki have been practicing their role as kaitiaki (guardians) of our garden.
We have observed them watering the beds, removing small weeds, and inspecting the plants for ripe kai.
They have assisted in harvesting spinach, silverbeet, broccoli, and cucumber, which we shared with whānau and enjoyed during morning and afternoon kai. One plant, in particular, has captured the full attention of the tamariki, and that is our tomato plant.
Each week, Mandy diligently prunes it and ensures it receives all the support it requires. We have seen many green tomatoes developing, and the tamariki have been eagerly checking each day to see if there have been any changes.
Imagine their excitement when they discovered not one, not two, but five red ripe tomatoes! We quickly harvested them to prevent the birds from ruining them and excitedly shared them during morning kai. The tamariki have been outstanding guardians of this area since its introduction, and they are currently broadening their understanding through the implementation of composting and worm farming.
By adopting these sustainable methods, the children are acquiring deeper insights into the cycles of nature and the principles of kaitiaki practices. This initiative embodies our guiding pou, whakawhanaungatanga, rangatirantaga and ako by sharing food with families, fostering relationships and connectedness, collaborating together, and sharing knowledge amongst eachother.