Health advocate Paul Rangiwahia and his sister, Jane, a cook, have produced a book that matches kai with kindness. Photos / Supplied
Jane and Paul Rangiwahia (Taranaki/Ngāti Ruanui) have combined their respective skills of cooking and art with a purpose in their book Kai and Kindess. They talk to Alana Rae.
What spurred you to put your cooking, art and mental-health advocacy expertise to work in Kai and Kindness?
Jane: During that horrible time of Covid, Paul said, “Let’s write a book together.” I don’t quite know how we managed to con a publisher into publishing it for us, but we did. In lockdown, it was great for my bubble. They got to try all my crazy creations and ate lots of food. Paul wrote some amazing words, too, so much so that every day, someone tells me there was something they didn’t realise they needed to read in the book.
What has the initial launch period been like?
Paul: We entered it with some uncertainty. We knew it would be well supported here in Taranaki, but it’s great that it has extended. I think the formula is really nice – it’s a book that doesn’t belong in the kitchen, but it can be used there. It’s just nice to pick up and interact with.
Jane: I got such a surprise the other day when the publisher emailed and the headline was “No 1 bestseller”. I thought it must have been a big list sent out to all the authors. But no, it was us, so that was a pretty big buzz.
What came first for you – the art or the wellbeing approach?
Paul: For me it was really the art. I first started playing around with paint in 1998 and had always imagined writing something. And then around 10 years ago, when I was 42, I went through some of my own struggles and wanted to write a guide for myself that I could refer back to. I used my art and a bit of writing skills and made a mental warrant-of-fitness artwork that has become quite popular.
Why do you think the art in this book has resonated with so many people?
Paul: I think because it’s not reinventing the wheel, we’re just taking common-sense messages and sayings and blending them into something that is nice to look at. If I sent you an email with all the same points it would look a little bland. Art brings things alive and creates more of a chance for those messages to be enduring.