Appreciating ngāi tipu (flora)

 Maramataka


Te Rākaunui (Full Moon)

Our phase today in Aotearoa is Te Rākaunui, a time of high energy (hopefully). A great time to get on top of those tasks, start planning your monthly goals/short term goals, plan and plant your māra. There is collective energy to achieve collective results and a time of fertility - for the whenua, the moana maybe our wāhine too. Our minds will be busy and expect little sleep, take each step with purpose.

We have the rest of our belongings being delivered today so I am thankful for the suggested high energy... I have also recently begun a new job and I am using this time to plan my days, goals and objectives moving forward in this marama, the end of year and visions for 2021. A full day, I've got this.

Me whai tikanga! - Be purposeful in your actions

Horticulture Education

It has been a moment, I finished my Horticulture course at the beginning of November. My final assessment was to create a information poster around a composting system of my choice - I chose a Bokashi system. Once we have our feet properly settle on the ground I hope to put a bokashi system in place so watch this space!
I highly recommend the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture for anyone wanting to get a deeper understanding of their garden, their natural surroundings and how to help the whenua help you. Get on to it whānau especially while it is still available free under the TTAF funding!
It was all based online, all the extra learning you could find online too, there are suggested textbooks for further learning but they are not a requirement to purchase. I found the timings for assessments and modules easy to fit around - sometimes I was lucky to have the preschooler occupied other times I was thankful I had a portable device and I could learn on the go or sit on the couch holding a barbie and semi-engaged in preschooler play. Overall I finished with one A and three A+; I don't even think I ever had an A+ when I was at school. I learned so much and I have spread that knowledge to whānau, to my daughter and to the community; again I highly recommend it!

Back in the workforce

As mentioned I began a new job earlier this month, my first role since becoming a mother in 2017!
I am in a beautiful location, the beach is across the road and we are surrounded by a mix of native and non-native ngāi tipu. With this selection of plant life surrounding us I am able to continue my journey into our natural world. My current obsession are our ti kouka (cabbage trees).

There are a handful of these beautiful rākau around the tari; we also have several in our neighbourhood although the ones at home are very tall and out of reach.
These ti kouka ARE within reach, I am able to reach and smell their putiputi. I have never purposefully inhaled the scent of the ti kouka, I am so happy I can smell them though! 
The scent is hard to describe, it is rich but light, floral yet musky; it is a fragrance you should take the time to pinpoint.
Traditionally my tīpuna would use the leaves for weaving a number of useful items i.e kete, nets, kakahu, even sandals. Ti kouka were also planted to mark boundaries, urupā, as memorial markers such as a birth and even to mark specific trails. The ti kouka was also used as a food source dining on most parts of the rākau - from the root to the top as a great source of starch and sugar as not only a meal but also useful for rongoā especially when it came to an upset puku. 
The european settlers would also dine on this rākau, focusing on the leaves as a substitute for cabbage - hence the european name "the cabbage tree" I am yet to research whether they used it in any other circumstances but for kai.

Ti Kouka, a mighty native, that isn't too fussy where it grows from wetlands to beaches; offers endless benefits; smells amazing and is distinctly one of ours.

E kore e riro, he ti tamore no Rarotonga - The cabbage tree is never carried away in a gale
- Elsdon Best, Māori Folk Lore, 1907







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