Auckland parents Daniel and Mahera have six children who they encourage to be creative and resourceful. They were very happy to see baking supplies included in a food parcel that they received from the Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai.

“We were very fortunate because in our packages there was flour and other basics which gave us the opportunity to teach our kids to bake. They now bake their own bread and cakes. I think that if they can get into the habit of cooking then they can appreciate it more when someone else cooks and puts that food on the table for them.”

There were also packets of seed in the food parcels. “They (the Mission) were doing a trial, they offered the seeds and I said, ‘yes please!’”.

Daniel and his whānau planted the seeds at their home in Grey Lynn and they now have a steady supply of homegrown silver beet, lettuce, onions and pumpkin.

“I’m trying to show my children how to appreciate and make the most of what you have. And to give them the tools and the capacity to learn to cook for themselves.

“I have always tried to instill in my children the importance of making the most of what you have. If you have life and comfort, warmth, kai, and good people around you, that is what matters.”