Māra Kai Herb Workshops: Learning with the Seasons

At Māra Kai, we believe some of the best learning happens with your hands in the herbs, surrounded by good people, cups of tea, and practical skills that can be taken home and used straight away.

On the last Thursday of each month, we gather to share knowledge, explore seasonal plants, and learn simple ways to use what is growing around us.

Workshops are held at:

9:00am – Māra Kai, 12 Puckey Avenue, Kaitaia

4:00pm – Taipa Community Garden

Koha is appreciated but never expected. Everyone is welcome.

Workshop One: Harvesting & Preserving Herbs

Our first workshop focused on making the most of the herbs growing in our gardens.

Together we explored a range of simple preservation methods, including:

Drying herbs for teas and cooking

Making herb-infused vinegars

Creating herb oil cubes for soups and sauces

Blending herbal tea mixes

Making herb butter

Preparing fresh pesto

One of the highlights was making a delicious batch of pesto together using fresh herbs from the garden. We also shared a cup of herbal tea while discussing different preservation techniques and ways to reduce food waste by making use of seasonal abundance.

Participants left with practical ideas for preserving herbs at home and greater confidence in using the plants they already grow.

Workshop Two: Kumarahou & Calendula Chest Balm

Our second workshop focused on creating a natural chest balm using kumarahou and calendula.

Participants learned about the traditional uses of kumarahou as a respiratory herb and the soothing properties of calendula. We explored how infused herbal oils are made, how to safely blend ingredients, and how essential oils can be used to create a warming, comforting chest balm.

Using infused oils, beeswax, and carefully selected essential oils, everyone created their own jar of chest balm to take home.

The workshop covered:

The properties of kumarahou and calendula

How to make and use infused oils

Basic balm-making techniques

Safe use of essential oils

Creating natural alternatives to commercial chest rubs

There is something incredibly empowering about turning plants into useful remedies with your own hands. Watching participants leave with both new skills and a jar of balm they had made themselves was a real highlight.

Coming Up in June: Fire Cider Workshop :fire:

As winter settles in, our June workshop will focus on making Fire Cider.

Fire cider is a traditional herbal preparation made by infusing seasonal ingredients in apple cider vinegar. Depending on what is available in the garden, ingredients may include:

Garlic

Onion

Ginger

Chilli

Citrus

Seasonal herbs

Participants will make their own jar of fire cider to take home and learn about the history, preparation, and traditional uses of this warming winter tonic.

Many of the ingredients will come directly from the garden, highlighting how everyday plants can become useful additions to our winter wellness toolkit.

Growing Skills, Building Community.

These workshops are about much more than the finished product.

They are an opportunity to slow down, connect with nature, learn practical skills, share knowledge, and build community around food, herbs, and wellbeing.

Whether we're making pesto, blending herbal teas, crafting chest balms, or preparing fire cider, each workshop reminds us that many of the resources we need are already growing around us.

We look forward to continuing to learn together throughout the seasons.

Join us on the last Thursday of the month.

9:00am – Māra Kai, 12 Puckey Avenue, Kaitaia

4:00pm – Taipa Community Garden

Koha appreciated.