A taste of Pakaraka as families share kai secrets

Pakaraka's Downs family are about to share some of their culinary secrets. Photo / Supplied

Willow-Jean Prime is not lacking a public profile.

She is instantly recognisable as a successful lawyer, a busy Far North District councillor, and likely to soon be a Labour list MP, but she is about to let a television audience into a new part of her life.

She and her family, including sister Season-Mary and parents Adrieanne and Barry Downs, star in the first instalment of a new season of the Maori Television programme Whanau Kai, which will screen at 7.30pm on Wednesday next week (June 21). It is also available on demand.

Whanau Kai is a "slice of daily life cooking show," where Reikura Kahi and her three children journey around Aotearoa to visit their whanau with recipes, tips and tricks to put food on the table. The Downs family show how to feed a large family with everything from quiche to a decadent chocolate mud cake.

"With no competitions, no fancy menus and no celebrity chefs, the show strips down to the real importance of preparing kai - bringing the whanau together," publicist Amy Frecklington said.

"Each recipe has a unique spin, with new takes on old favourites and handed-down recipes that are healthy and packed full of flavour. There is something for everyone, from a rich seafood korma curry to a fresh and fruity raw strawberry cheesecake.

"All recipes have a strong focus on regional and seasonal ingredients that can be sourced on a budget. Their kitchen becomes your kitchen, their kai becomes your kai, and their whanau become your whanau in every episode.

The series combines love and cooking together, reminding us what is important above all else while learning delicious recipes along the way."