🍅🌿 TOMATO QUEEN OF ŌMANAIA! 🌿🍅
Issue: 38
He Kākano Au: Seeds, Beats, Braids & Mālie
🍅🌿 TOMATO QUEEN OF ŌMANAIA! 🌿🍅
Serena Anderton (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kaharau, Ngāti Hau) is doing the mahi and growing the magic! A marine ecologist by training and a heirloom tomato seed seller by trade, Serena is the kaitiaki behind Tomato Love | Epic Tomato Source — based in the kai-rich whenua of Ōmanaia, Northland.
🧬 She comes from a long line of gardeners and kai growers.
♻️ She’s zero waste — reusing what others bin.
🤝 She collaborates with local growers to uphold food sovereignty.
🌱 And she’s just been featured in the October 25 issue of New Zealand Gardener!
✨ Whether you're a backyard grower or mara kai maven, Serena’s got the goods — rare, pristine heirloom tomato seeds and the mātauranga to help you choose the right variety for your garden. 📩 serena.anderton@gmail.com
🥁 Turning rhythm into purpose!
Junior Napara, award-winning Cook Islands drummer, is behind There’s Hope – a kaupapa where he handcrafts and tunes pātē, paʻu & more to inspire change.
$5 from every drum sale supports the Manihiki Group’s cultural workshops and prep for Te Maeva Nui 2027. 📩 Cost for pātē and paʻu range from $180 to $250. For prices and payment contact hello@thegenerator.org.nz , 0212720633.
From Colombia to Aotearoa – the braid boss has landed!
Anyela Cristina De La Cruz Hurtado landed in NZ just 3 years ago and is already making waves with her business Anyelita Braids – See HERE for her story.
💥 Want the freshest, fiercest braids in town? Contact Anyela on her FB page Anyelita Braids.
Amazon Web Services Whānau Day
A free community celebration packed with inspo, tech, kai & culture!
- 1 November | 9:00AM – 4:00PM Due Drop Event Centre, Manukau,
- 💡 Meet Māori & Pasifika role models
- 💻 Explore digital career pathways
- 🎤 Hear from special guests like Alexia Hilbertidou, John Pulu & Dan Te Whenua Walker
- 🎮 Get hands-on with tech, coding & activations
🎁 Win epic prizes – including laptops for rangatahi!📍 South Auckland Saturday AUCKLAND FREE community event all whānau welcome register HERE
Get financial insights for your small business with help from a Xero Accountant or Bookkeeper HERE
Join The AI Assembly’s next HerAIStory event at Creative HQ 🤩 - a dynamic event for women exploring or advancing their AI journey.
Free coaching service backed by NZ’s startup ecosystem leaders. Perfect for founders nationwide seeking to test ideas, gain strategic clarity, and plan their next move
