2025 NZILA Firth Wānanga
Heretaunga Hastings 22-23 May
Horanuku Hora Kai
Edible Landscapes
Heretaunga Haukūnui
Heretaunga Ararau
Heretaunga Hāro Te Kāhu
Heretaunga of Life-Giving Dews
Heretaunga of Arcadian Pathways
Heretaunga seen through the eyes of the Hawk
Tēnārā koutou katoa Greetings to you all!
Karanga mai Here is the call…
Haere mai ki Heretaunga Horanuku Hora Kai Come to Hastings Edible Landscapes!
The whakataukī proverb of our district describes the landscape of Heretaunga in its abundance and beauty. The proverb originates from the time of Te Ikahoungata a 17th century chief of Ngāti Ngarengare whose main house overlooked a network of wetland lakes, rivers, streams, swamps, forests and fernhills – a veritable edible landscape.
The proverb resounded across Te Ika a Māui with fame of Heretaunga reaching the people of Whanganui and Waitōtara, who came in search of food due to failed crops and famine in their area.
On their arrival peace was exchanged and the visitors were fed. They stayed for some time and were fed with both food and knowledge, the food being predominantly that of the wetlands and estuaries, and the knowledge being that of the stars and their signs to best interact with, enhance, and take from the edible landscape. The visitors then returned equipped to diversify their harvest and better sustain themselves into the future.
You are invited into the story of our edible landscape as a template for the 2025 Hui a Tau Annual Conference to discuss and contemplate the importance of food sovereignty and the problems, challenges, solutions, and opportunities for edible landscapes in everyday public spaces and in industrial food production.
Nau mai! Haere mai!
The 2025 NZILA Firth Wānanga will take place in Heretaunga Hastings on 22-23 May. Watch this space for information about programme, speakers, registrations, and sponsorship opportunities. Save the date, you won't want to miss this one!
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, Charles Ropitini, Pou Ahurea, Heretaunga Hastings District Council for your kōrero and wonderful storytelling around our theme.
Huge thanks to our naming rights sponsor, Firth for your ongoing support, and to the 2025 Creative Panel:
Shannon Bray
Lizzie Burn
William Hatton
Joshua Hunt
Ashleigh Hunter
Daniel McEwan