Our summer of events at Kelmarna keeps on rolling throughout March. Next up is Kelmarna’s Little Kai Festival - an alcohol-free, family fun afternoon on Sunday 8th March,11am to 4pm.
With a focus on kids, kai and conversation we have a line up of inspiring speakers, delicious food, loads of kids’ activities and a chance to have a say in the farm’s future.
The festival’s Talk Tent will host inspirational speakers from projects focused on how food can create positive change. Participants include organics consultant Brendan Hoare; Rob Small, designer and curator of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s Pourewa gardens; Amy Tew, general manager of Everybody Eats and its Onehunga restaurant head chef Archana Kurup.
They will be joined by Levi Brinsdon-Hall, founder of Delicious Revolution and head farmer at Te Maara Kai o Wirihana, an urban farm led by Manurewa High School. Together, the speakers will share how growing and sharing kai sustainably can benefit individuals, communities and countries.
Brendan Hoare, who has just returned from a trip to India’s Sikkim, the world’s first organic state, says, "There are people and communities undertaking bold actions all over the world. We have nothing to fear in making Aotearoa New Zealand organic because others are well ahead of us on that journey."
Rob Small will share his kōrero on growing kūmara with tikanga, while Amy Tew will talk about how Everybody Eats is more than a shared dining experience. A special kids t-shirt has been designed for the festival by local artist, Ezra Whittaker
From learning about regenerative food practices to a place for peaceful relaxation, the Little Kai Festival is a manifestation of Kelmarna’s shared love of food, the land and community, Sarah McFadden, the farm’s General Manager says.
"Kelmarna is just one of many small farms and producers across Auckland and Aotearoa who are working to grow food, knowledge, and a better food future. At the Little Kai Festival, we get to celebrate that movement together – to meet these changemakers, hear their stories, and see how growing kai can strengthen communities and inspire positive change.
“It’s also a wonderful opportunity to be reminded that we’re part of something much bigger, and that by planting seeds – in the ground and in our communities, we’re also growing hope."
Kelmarna is also inviting attendees to share their thoughts on the farm’s future - “this is a community and we’re keen to hear what people are looking for from us,” Sarah said.
Two weeks later on Saturday 21st March is our Equinox Festival, a chance for the community to celebrate the tail end of summer surrounded by nature at our beautiful farm. This will be a relaxed afternoon of live music, great food, organic wines, cocktails and Behemoth beers.
Musical highlights include rising star, Geneva AM, whose bilingual debut album of electronic synth-pop Pikipiki was released last year, along with The Wellington Silva Trio performing Brazilian jazz; drummer Finn McNeil and band playing Latin-tinged jazz; and Indie folk trio, Chance of Sun.
Running from 2pm-6pm, we have sliding scale ticket prices. This means everyone can join in the fun while also contributing what they can to support Kelmarna’s mission. Simply choose the rate you feel you can afford.
Kelmarna Community Farm, 12 Hukanui Crescent, www.Kelmarna.co.nz/events
