Dr Jessica Hutchings

The internationally recognised leader in indigenous food systems and soil sovereignty.

Dr Jessica Hutchings (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa, Gujarati) is a founding Trustee of the Papawhakaritorito Charitable Trust that works to uplift Māori kai and soil sovereignty and Hua Parakore through research, development and community practice. She lives on 12 acres and is a Hua Parakore verified whānau food grower. She has been a member of Te Waka Kai Ora for the last two decades.

Nationally and internationally recognised as a leader in Indigenous food systems and Māori food and soil sovereignty, Jessica is also a widely published author, including recent books, Te Mahi Oneone Hua Parakore: A Māori Soil Sovereignty and Wellbeing Handbook (Freerange Press 2020), Te Mahi Māra Hua Parakore: A Māori Food Sovereignty Handbook (Te Tākupu, 2015) Dr Hutchings has been working at the crossroads of Indigenous knowledge, whānau and environmental wellbeing for the last three decades. Dr Hutchings also holds a range of governance and leadership roles in the science sector, including on the MBIE Science Board, the Resilience to Natures National Science Challenge and is the Co-Chair of the Puhoro Charitable Trust.