Growing community resilience through kai sovereignty with Rākau Tautoko.
Rākau Tautoko is an Auckland-based collective dedicated to building stronger, more connected communities through engagement and empowerment. Established in 2016, the organisation’s purpose is to support communities by creating opportunities for people to participate, lead, and thrive, with a goal for communities to be empowered and engaged.
In 2025, Rākau Tautoko received an additional Foundation North grant in support the delivery of its Kai Sovereignty project – helping whānau build greater food security, self-sufficiency, and connection to traditional knowledge.
Combing practical mentoring and community learning, through the Mahi-a-Ringa programme, whānau receive support to establish backyard vegetable gardens and chicken coops, gaining the skills needed to grow their own food independently. Alongside this, Wānanga learning sessions explore Mātauranga Māori, traditional diets, and kai sovereignty for urban communities.
Through their recent mahi, Rākau Tautoko supported 144 whānau to improve access to homegrown kai and build the knowledge and confidence to sustain food growing independently. The organisation helped 76 whānau establish garden beds, supported 15 whānau to begin raising chickens, and continued mentoring a further 53 whānau.
Strengthening kai sovereignty, community connection, and wellbeing, whānau have reported being able to grow more food than expected, often sharing surplus produce with neighbours, friends, and extended family – with many also noting tamariki becoming actively involved in gardening and learning about healthy food.
Click here to learn more about Rākau Tautoko.
