Kia ora! Welcome to Mana Kai

Latest issue - Mana issue 102

Move over Edmonds Cookbook there’s a new kid on the block! Country Calendar Cookbook with Allyson Gofton has all the hallmarks of becoming a real Kiwi classic.

For starters it’s a brilliant idea – revisiting some of the intrepid people who’ve appeared on our longest running local TV show over the years, writing their stories, and getting their favourite recipes some of which have been handed down through generations. Cooking doyen Allyson Gofton, along with a photographer and writer, travelled throughout the motu from high country farms, orchards, vineyards, and remote coastal settlements to produce the goodies for the book, adding some of her own favourite recipes to the mix.

One of the stops they made was in Te Kaha in the Bay of Plenty where they met Paul and Tracy O’Brien a community-minded local couple who run a backpackers Kiwi as Paul O’Brien greets Allyson Gofton. and fishing charter business. The O’Briens have a macadamia orchard and more recently Paul has got into gold kiwifruit growing with an eye to providing employment for locals. He has set about getting funding and support from a number of sources including Te Puni Kokiri that allows people to study for the National Certificate in Horticulture. It’s a pretty stunning example of how people who care can make a huge difference to the development of their community.

Kia kaha Te Kaha!

Paul O’Brien greets Allyson Gofton.

Check out the latest recipes link.