On Monday this week Taitokerau Organic Producers Society (TOPIS) and their organic gardening enthusiast partners celebrated Kohukohu Primary School's achievement in winning Te Manawhenua Challenge 2009.
This challenge is to encourage our Maori youth to go back to the whenua and do planting - whether it's a vege garden, flower garden, landscaping with native trees or just something art inspired - as long as it's a garden exercise using whenua and done by youth in Taitokerau.
Last year's winners were from Paremata, Hokianga so the trophy, carved by Pene Werohia for the challenge, hasn't travelled very far. The other districts of Taitokerau will have to do better to take the trophy, affectionately named 'Rongo', away from Hokianga! Other prizes, sponsored by Taitokerau Organic Inc Society and supporters were a cheque for $500 and seeds and garden resources to help with their next garden entry for 2010.
The idea of recognising youth working the whenua has been a very successful concept and Taranaki and Ngati Porou are determined to start their own Manawhenua Challenge competition in their tribal areas. In the meantime the Challenge is attracting a great deal of interest in Taitokerau with many schools and community groups gearing up to make their gardens highly productive in terms of kai, whanaungatanga and learning for 2010.
We congratulate the principal of Kohukohu Primary school, Tanya Filia, and her staff and community for supporting her gardening group in this effort of connecting our taitamaariki with their tupuna and whenua through the medium of gardening.
Thanks to our sponsors Radio Tautoko 92.8FM, TOPIS, Te Oranga and Far North Environment Centre for this year's support.
Rueben Porter
TOPIS Chairman 2009
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