As I write, I'm reflecting on the relationship and connection Maori have with food.
I'm fondly reminiscing on memories spent in the maara kai (food garden) with my late grandfather, Bill Stirling.
In the garden was where he was a different man - he was talkative, a teacher, he shared stories of his upbringing with his nan, she taught him the techniques of planting and harvesting kai, especially kumara at the East Coast Raukokore. I'm reminded spring is around the corner, so time for planting is near.
I miss him terribly. As Father's Day approaches it's a reminder for our whanau that our Pa has been gone for three years.
This week we lost an exemplar of a man, a Rangatira, Uncle Dave Stone, who resided in Pakipaki for many years but was from Muriwai.