Kai Ruku Programme

13 November 2024

In its second year of funding from Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa, Community Healthcare Ltd.'s Kai Ruku programme continues to make a meaningful impact in the Porirua community. Initially launched with a focus on rangatahi tāne, the programme expanded this year due to popular demand to include 25 kōhine for 2023-2024. Kai Ruku combines recreational diving instruction with water safety training, equipping participants with the skills to harvest kaimoana (seafood) while learning to become kaitiaki (guardians) of the ocean.

Over time, Kai Ruku’s kaupapa grew to include a wider hauora approach, focusing not only on technical skills but also on the holistic wellbeing of participants, especially those facing social challenges. This included welcoming some rangatahi tāne who had struggled to integrate into other programmes but found Kai Ruku to be a welcoming space where they could be themselves.

Weekly sessions begin with classroom learning and training at the local pool, allowing participants to build confidence in a safe environment before venturing into the ocean. Once in the ocean, they engage in practical, hands-on learning about the marine environment, kaimoana, and sustainable guardianship, ‘contributing to the sustainability and longevity of our natural resource.’ Participants not only learn to dive and gather kaimoana but also develop skills in preparing and cooking it. This culinary component culminated in an event at the marae, where the young divers prepared kai for their whānau and other guests, showcasing their newly developed skills.

Evaluation forms completed by both kōhine and tāne participants highlighted the transformative impact of the Kai Ruku programme. Many expressed a profound sense of pride in their ability to collect and prepare food for themselves and their whānau. Through Kai Ruku, participants not only acquired valuable life skills but also strengthened their ties to traditional practices and bringing these skills back to their whānau and iwi.

Thanks to the support and funding from Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa, Community Healthcare Ltd.’s Kai Ruku programme has evolved into a holistic, culturally grounded initiative that fosters skill development and personal growth. It empowers rangatahi in Porirua to embrace traditional practices, act as kaitiaki of the ocean, and carry forward skills that support both their whānau and individual development. The success of this year’s programme is evident in the pride and sense of accomplishment felt by participants, affirming Kai Ruku’s growing role in the community as a safe and enriching space for rangatahi to flourish.