All About Rooted & Rising

Our Journey & Kaupapa

Rooted & Rising Aotearoa was born from a shared belief that everyone deserves access to fresh, nourishing kai and the knowledge to grow it.

Based in Whakatāne and Paengaroa, we are two regenerative growers and educators working across the Bay of Plenty to reconnect whānau and communities with the whenua, strengthen local food systems, and support confidence in growing food at home.

We first met in 2021 at Koanga Institute, where we found we had a really aligned vision around food, whenua, and community. From early on, it felt like we were both moving in the same direction, that growing kai is about connection, resilience, and sovereignty.

Over the past three years, we’ve lived on the same properties and built our businesses side by side, learning and evolving our mahi through the seasons, the soil, and real-life practice.

Jemma is a heritage seed saver, plant nursery operator, and educator focused on strengthening seed and food sovereignty by supporting communities to grow nourishing kai and build resilient local food systems.

Te Aroha is a regenerative gardener and educator working with whānau across the Bay of Plenty to restore soil health, strengthen kai sovereignty, grow nourishing kai, and deepen everyday connection to the whenua.

Together, we bring hands-on experience in organic growing, education, and community food systems. Our mahi is grounded in simplicity, seasonality, and the belief that growing food should be accessible, empowering, and deeply connected to place.

Through our monthly seedling subscriptions and growing journal, we support people at all stages of their growing journey, from first-time gardeners through to more experienced growers, making it easier to grow kai, build confidence, and reconnect with the land.