# data[].attributes.headline
Going Deeper - Extracts from: Maori gardening: an archaeological perspective

# data[].attributes.subject
Going Deeper - Extracts from: Maori gardening: an archaeological perspective

# data[].attributes.body
A quick read about the Hamilton Gardens Te Parapara with some great new vocab for students. Could be great paired with a trip to Hamilton Gardens

# data[].attributes.body
A film of the kumara cultivation, harvesting and storage process narrated in te reo Māori (with English sub-titles available). 1 hour 45 minutes. Covering the seven parts of the process:

Tapapa – shooting/sprouting the kumara (supported by the photo book)

Muru – harvesting the shoots

Rumaki – planting the shoots

Rua – storage (a storage pit and whare are constructed in the DVD)

Hauhake – harvest

Komiri – sorting

Kao – preserving/drying kumara

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Te Kumara | Whakarapopoto | English Subtitles

# data[].attributes.body
Kings Seeds NZ provides an excellent downloadable guide for kumara growing. I've used this with students to create a planting calendar. It covers soil preparation, planting times, and harvesting techniques specific to NZ conditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kumara - Grow Well Guides | Kings Plant Barn | NZ Garden Centres, Shop Online, Cafes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Visit Kings Plant Barn for expert advice, gardening inspiration, quality plants & garden supplies. Shop plants, soils, fertilisers, tools, seeds, pots & more.

# data[].attributes.body
Here's 2 tried-and-tested methods for showing tamariki how to sprout kumara in the classroom.

1. Place a kumara in a jar with toothpicks and water, similar to growing avocado. Students love monitoring the sprouting process!

2. Bury kumara in sandy soil - keep warm and spray/mist with water to keep soil damp.

# data[].attributes.body
This Gardens in Schools video demonstrates practical tips for establishing a kumara patch in your school garden. It covers everything from preparing māra beds to involving students in the growing process. Choice resource for outdoor education!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Grow Kūmara | Mitre 10 Easy As Garden

# data[].attributes.body
I've found TKI's cross-curricular unit particularly useful for assessing learning around kumara cultivation. It includes writing templates, science observation sheets, and cultural reflection activities. Great for linking to both science and social studies achievement objectives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Kūmara Cultivation Calendar for School Terms

# data[].attributes.body
Plan your kūmara māra within your school year

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Storage

After harvest we grade our kumara. Our seed kumara for the next year is selected from the very best tubers that are a good size, unblemished and undamage. These we wrap individually in newspaper, label and store in a box. The box is labelled "Seed kumara DO NOT EAT" for obvious reasons and kept in a cool, dry place where rodents can't get to it.

We used to store our kumara in cardboard boxes but rodents are quick to learn and each year we experienced more and more damage as the rats would eat their way into the boxes. So a couple of years ago John made some storage boxes out of eco-ply (untreated and no nasty glues) and that is working a treat. The boxes stack and John made a lid for the top box and so far the rodents haven't managed to get in. This has made a huge difference to us and this year we finished eating last year's kumara just as we started to harvest this year's crop. No kumara gap feels pretty special!

The rest of the good sized, undamaged kumara is to be stored for eating later in the year. Traditionally they were stored in layers with silver or bracken fern leaves (that have anti fungal properties) between layers. Some people store them in boxes with fern leaves or dry hay between layers but we find the easiest is to wrap them individually in newspaper and store them in the plywood boxes. Stored this way they keep for months.

Any small, damaged or split ones become our 'use soon' kumara. We used to store those in sacks but it was hard to keep the rodents out so now we store them unwrapped in the boxes and check them regularly. The final category would be small or damaged tubers that are too small to bother cleaning for cooking and those we feed to our birds - the ducks in particular really like them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kumara are one of our main staple crops and a huge favourite for us. For most people who buy kumara their choices are limited to either gold or red but Koan ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Love! Kumara Varieties | www.lovekumara.co.nz

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A Taste and Texture For Everyone to Love

# data[].attributes.headline
Scotty Morrison Explains the Voyage of the Kūmara

# data[].attributes.subject
Scotty Morrison Explains the Voyage of the Kūmara

# data[].attributes.body
Check out Scotty Morrison's piece on the voyage of the kūmara to Aotearoa.

For more info - Season Two, Ep 1 of "Origins" on TVNZ OnDemand has a more in-depth piece on kumara.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
From South America to NZ: Scotty Morrison explains the voyage of the Kumara

# data[].attributes.body
This comprehensive Science Learning Hub resource explores the cultural significance of kumara in Aotearoa. Perfect for introducing the topic to your class with a strong cultural foundation. It includes traditional growing methods and the story of Māori kumara cultivation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Collection - Kūmara — Science Learning Hub

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kia ora, this is a collection of ideas and resources you might want to use when investigating kūmara.

# data[].attributes.headline
Garden To Table - He kūmara reka - Sweet Kūmara

# data[].attributes.subject
Garden To Table - He kūmara reka - Sweet Kūmara

# data[].attributes.body
The story of kuumara growing journey at Te Parapara - one of a few places practicing the old ways of growing kuumara, a sacred crop to Maaori and a plant deeply entwined with the history of Aotearoa.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Growing kuumara – a sacred crop at Hamilton Gardens