Share Kai and Kōrero Lots in Common at Ara Campus

Diners connect, kōrero, and enjoy food from the Afghan, Eritrean and Nepali/Bhutanese Share Kai Cooks Collective groups.

Earlier this month we held our biggest Share Kai and Kōrero event yet - in partnership with Ara | Te Pūkenga ‘Lots in Common‘ attracted nearly 400 akonga (students) and kaimahi (staff).

Food and drinks from all three - Afghan, Eritrean and Nepali/Bhutanese - Share Kai Cooks Collective groups was on offer and people stayed (despite the cool weather!) to kōrero around the tables.

“We’ve had so many people say, ‘Yes! I’m Eritrean’ or ‘I drink Eritrean coffee’ or ‘I’m Nepali’ or ‘I’m Hindi’. So, there’s lots of recognition here which is really cool for the students here to have their culture celebrated and for other students to be able to experience it,” InCommon Project Manager Holly Griffin said.

Lots in Common was held at a significant time. There is a lot going on in the world, and here in Ōtautahi, at the moment and this can shake our feelings of connectedness. Lots in Common and Share Kai is about emphasising our commonalities. We are all people first and we have so much that we can share and learn from each other. Share Kai and Kōrero is a place to do so.

Ara | Te Pūkenga Director Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Freedom Preston, agreed, adding that in a world marked by conflict it was important to be reminded of the key Te Pūkenga values of manawa nui, manawa roa and manawa ora (we reach out and welcome in, we learn and achieve together, and we strengthen and grow the whole person.)

She said InCommon and Ara were dedicated to fostering a more just and equitable society by providing programmes and resources that facilitate connection, cultural understanding, and the development of skills needed to create positive change.

“Finding commonalities with different cultures is a pivotal aspect of building social capital, or social cohesion. So, by connecting with others from diverse cultural backgrounds and identifying our shared values, traditions or experiences, it helps create a foundation of connection and trust.”

This event was supported by the Student Life Team, Wellbeing Action Group and Ara | Te Pūkenga Health Promotion ākonga.

This story contains material and photos supplied by Ara | Te Pūkenga, read more here.