There are 89 new cases of coronavirus in New Zealand - the most recorded in a single day so far, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says.
Organics expert Kiritahi Firmin, along with her son, John Jnr. Panatahi, have been using the level 4 lockdown period to release educational videos on the vegetable gardening process, with an emphasis on self sustainably and "reconnection with the land".
"There are things we can do to de-stress, and these littlesessions I've posted online can hopefully help people take some of the scariness out of these trying times," Firmin said.
Filmed on the family's 10-acre property in Upokongaro, Firmin's videos will document the entire growing process, from sowing from seed, planting in pots, and harvesting, right down to making raisins from grapes and producing apple puree for babies.
Kiritahi Firmin and her son John Jnr. Panatahi Photo / Supplied
The "less is more approach" is something Firmin said was important to focus on.
"I'm really hoping to inspire people and to inspire parents, in particular, to grow your own kai, instead of just relying on the supermarket.
"You don't need to buy a whole lot of new stuff, it's all right there in the soil and in the land."
Firmin previously taught organics through Agriculture New Zealand, before founding the Kimiora Trust a decade ago. Kimiora is a social service that focuses on suicide prevention, domestic violence prevention, and mental health awareness. She is also a senior adviser at Barnados.
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Firmin said it was a "no brainer" to share some of the gardening skills she'd learned over the years, especially since people would have a little bit more time over the lockdown period.
"One of the purposes (of the videos) is to encourage people is reconnect with one another, and with our busy work schedules put on hold at the moment, this could be the time to do it," Firmin said.
"We need to get back to basics and get back to the land.
"For those of us who have learned these skills, it's an obligation to share them with the next generation."
When the lockdown period ends, Firmin said she was looking forward to connecting with those families who have watched her videos and used some of the skills she has shared.
"We want to say to our community that there are pockets of people here that are amazing organic growers," Firmin said.
"Covid-19 won't just suddenly go away, and its effects will resonate for a long time.
"We need to create an environment that protects us, and focus on a circular economy, not just using things and throwing them away."
Firmin encouraged everyone to share her videos and to "move away from such a consumer society".
