E Kai Māori is a partnership between Epuro Hands International & the Tangata Whenua Network.

Our Vision: To reconnect our culinary cultural heritage to marae across the country.

Our Mission: To research, record and reconnect Mātauranga Kai Māori in as many tribal regions as possible.

Our company is committed to facilitating the use of Kai Maori in both traditional and contemporary cooking. We also promote indigenous practices, producers and suppliers of native kai rongoa. While we share matauranga freely, we acknowledge this is only possible through our sponsors, volunteers and koha.

Epuro Hands International Limited
Epuro Hands International Limited

Chef Joe (Hamuera Orupe McLeod)

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou i runga i te kaupapa nei.

I have been associated with the hospitality services industry since 1973. I have a passion for enhancing, preserving and promoting our traditional indigenous culinary culture

My passion and research in the culinary Maori cuisine philosophy has been with me since 1964 learned to my generation by our grandfathers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins and fellow villagers with favorite uncle Te Karo Titoko who was adamant we worked and learned together the arts and crafts of the forests…

The teaching practices were taught by some colourful characters unless they had your utmost attention, a very swift belt across the ear area would soon get it. With teaching policies like that one would hardly forget the subject taught. A practice I am so glad no longer happens in schools I think?

We were in my opinion privileged to be schooled in the practice of respect at an early age like our culture, heritage, close association with nature but more importantly our customary hospitality cultural experience you get on the Marae.

Our right to collect flora, fauna, wildlife and seafood for whanau, hapu and iwi consumption has changed with restrictions now placed far across the forager gathering process once the role our village or marae leaders held.

Tangata Whenua Network Limited
Tangata Whenua Network Limited

Adrian McVeigh

Ko Ngāti Hine te hapu
Ko Ngātokimatawhourua te waka
Ko Waiomio te Awa
Ko Kopa te whānau
Ko Adrian Mcveigh tokū ingoa.

Cooking for me started on leaving home in 1986 and I have a deep appreciation for the hospitality industry having owned a restaurant, nightclubs, a cafe and catered to many through my culinary journey. I feel privileged to be able to learn alongside Chef Joe and our small team as we travel the motu to marae and share Mātauranga Kai Māori with those who who wish to learn.

As a child of the forgotten whakapapa adoption policy in the 60's & 70's, I grew up disconnected from all things Māori. As I got older and married into a Māori family and had children of my own, I felt the pull to start the journey of self discovery. Through this process of reconnection I realised that my journey would be lifelong to ensure my daughters opportunities for connection would be an easier path.

My wife and I developed The Tangata Whenua Network to support our people traversing many of the hurdles in the journey of their Māoritanga. It is our aspiration to to reconnect our people to Whenua, Whakapapa, Kaupapa and Te Ao Māori.