Ko Wai Matau

Te Waka Kai Ora is Aotearoa's national Māori organics authority, kaitiaki of Hua Parakore, the indigenous validation and verification system for Kai Atua, pure food grown in the way of our tūpuna.

Behind that kaupapa is a rōpū of passionate, experienced kai producers: growers, bakers, fermenters and farmers standing together across the motu, restoring Kai sovereignty for whānau, hapū and iwi.

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Meet the Komiti

Teina Boasa-Dean

Tiamana o Te Waka Kai Ora | Board Chair

Teina Boasa-Dean is an active member of her marae and iwi pae tapu based in Te Urewera, Ngāi Tūhoe. She has 30 years’ experience in environmental science, ecological development, and waste management. She is currently a Māori Soil Science Research Advisor, Iwi archivist and historian and Te Reo Māori Community Language Commissioner. Teina is experienced in governance, climate change, waste, and soil. She also advocates for the circular economy and played a role as member of the Māori technical experts group commissioned to work on the new waste strategy. Teina is the co-founder and co-designer of the Māori circular economy model known as Te Takarangi a developmental system that explores Māori cultural values in action for the restoration of natural living systems.

Cathy Tait-Jamieson

Board Member

(Ngati Raukawa) Our queen bee of organics and Hua Parakore and the first recipient of the Hua Parakore tohu at Biofarm, Cathy and her whānau create Hua Parakore Verified yogurt which you can find at many local supermarkets. Cathy continues to play a pivotal role within the space of Te Waka Kai Ora and brings 40 years of knowledge to our team not only in farming, but also in business acumen.

Leela Uatuku

Board Member

Jasmin Heyder

Pou Taki | Project Manager

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Hua Parakore embodies an Indigenous validation and verification system rooted in mātauranga, tikanga, and te reo, derived from the wisdom of our tūpuna. This enlightening approach allows Māori Kai, rongoā, artisian producers to authentically convey the essence of their food production through the tūpuna tikanga perspective.

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