Spotswood College
Thanks to our sponsors at Toi Foundation we are able to offer this course at a subsidised rate.
Life of Kai — Course Overview
The Life of Kai is a low-cost, hands-on kai education programme that blends traditional Aotearoa
food knowledge with modern twists. Designed to be accessible for all learners, the course teaches
practical cooking skills, cultural understanding, and everyday wellbeing through food.
Grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā, each session strengthens taha tinana, hinengaro, wairua, and
whānau. Participants learn to prepare nourishing kai using affordable ingredients, seasonal produce,
and Māori-inspired methods — while also exploring routines, mindset, and the role of food in holistic
health.
Life of Kai is real, practical, and empowering: kai preparation, culture, creativity, and wellness all
woven together to build confidence, independence, and a sense of identity.
Te Whare Tapa Wha
This is one way to think about achieving well-being and developing resilience, by having the four
sides to ourselves in balance.
These are:
Taha Whanau – having good relationships with people / social relationships/ family and friends
Taha Wairua – spiritual well-being – having a sense of meaning, belonging, beliefs that make sense
of life or give you strength
Taha Tinana – physical well-being – being fit and healthy
Taha Hinengaro – mind – emotions: learning, having balance with feelings
Te taha whanau- Reflect
Te taha wairua – Explore
Te taha tinana- Goals / Barriers
Te taha hinengaero Strategies/ Success
Tikanga & Cultural Threads
Kaitiakitanga – harvesting with respect, never taking more than needed
Wairuatanga – connecting to the spirit of place
Mātauranga Māori – learning from pūrākau, whakapapa of plants
Manaakitanga – feeding and caring for each other
Learning Outcomes — Life of Kai
By the end of the 4-week course, participants will be able to:
Culinary Skills and Knowledge
Prepare low-cost, traditional Aotearoa kai with modern twists (kumara, piko piko, mussels,
rewena bread, dumpling boil-up).
Demonstrate basic cooking techniques: boiling, steaming, kneading, mixing, and seasoning.
Apply food safety, hygiene, and kitchen organisation principles.
Understand sourcing, seasonal selection, and storage of ingredients.
Wellbeing and Holistic Health (Te Whare Tapa Whā)
Strengthen taha tinana (physical wellbeing) through nutrition and cooking skills.
Explore taha hinengaro (mental health) by building confidence, routine, and focus in the
kitchen.
Connect to taha wairua (spiritual health) through cultural storytelling and traditional practices.
Foster taha whānau (family/community health) through collaborative cooking and sharing
meals.
Life Skills and Personal Development
Develop budgeting skills for cooking and meal planning.
Build teamwork, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
Gain knowledge to create nourishing meals for themselves, whānau, or communities.
Increase cultural awareness and pride in Māori culinary traditions.
Meet the Tutor:
Alex Dickie — Chef, Tutor & Founder of The Life of Kai
Alex Dickie is a chef with 29 years of industry experience and a qualified NZQA tutor with nine years
of teaching at WITT, specialising in foundation culinary skills and hands-on learning. His career
spans superyachts, dive boats, and kitchens across New Zealand, France, Japan, and around the
world. Alex has mentored students through culinary competitions and industry pathways, known for
his calm, practical teaching style.
As founder of The Life of Kai, he brings together kai preparation, wellbeing, and real-world education
to uplift learners of all backgrounds.
Proudly Sponsored By:
