Dr. Maria Barnes-Rawiri

Dr. Maria Barnes-Rawiri is from Hokianga, where she leads He Kete Kai o Hokianga, a community food support network. She is passionate about seed saving and preserving the many varieties of taonga foods grown by her tūpuna, and about sharing knowledge that helps whānau grow, store and provide kai from the whenua.

Maria has extensive knowledge of natural growing practices, seed saving and long term food storage, and supports others to strengthen their own food growing knowledge. Her family gardens in Whirinaki have also provided a practical foundation for adapting growing practices to the challenges of drought and flooding.

Maria is committed to growing the knowledge and resilience of her community, particularly as more whānau return to the whenua to provide for themselves and their families.

Maria will be speaking at Changing the Narrative session at the Food Resilience Day Tour at Wao Summit 2026.