Ka Kā Wā

Marōtini (Fi)'s first meeting with Cacao was on her very first stay at her own marae, Te Takutai o te Titi, Ōraka, Aparima, in 2018. Upon her whenua for the first time, she met in moemoeā her tupuna Moitoi Toi, she embraced Fi and held her as she slept.The next day, we shared in community activation to bring people together.

Marōtini didn’t know it then, but this is when she and Cacao were to begin a profound future together. Marōtini was reintroduced to cacao by her mentor, Chelita Zainey, through her mahi and being in receivership of her rongoā. This reconnection with cacao was a potent one. It created the thread towards Marotini's incredible, long-standing change in her own well-being. Opening her heart to the magic of the world and allowing joy to flow back into her life once again. This connection led Marotini (Fi) to work closely with Oonagh Browne, The Cacao Ambassador, from whom she's receiving mentoring.

In 2022, Marōtini participated in the Cacao Emissary training in Ōtautahi with Oonagh and Libby, learning and sharing about the whakapapa and wonders of the cacao plant, and, more importantly, where, how and who is growing and bringing Cacao into NZ. At the beginning of 2023, Marotini went to Ōtautahi and 'The Cacao Ambassador' to complete training with the concher machine to start manufacturing her own cacao and chocolate. An exciting step, being able to truly bring home her inner child's joy of making delicious treats in her mum's kitchen.

Upon arriving home with her new machine, Marōtini set about making her first batch of cacao and chocolate. Knowing that her kitchen space would quickly be outgrown, she approached The Dunedin Bowling Club, which had recently moved from its food trailer to a restaurant. With this berm-side kitchen addition, Marōtini has been able to work from home and create space for more profound healing. It’s all a journey towards the opportunities in front of us, it’s time to embrace them.