Reclaiming paradise

For Brian Tairea of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, gardening organically feels like coming home. Tairea learned gardening from his grandfather, who planted according to the arāpō – the phases of the moon – and used methods like composting, mulching and companion planting to nourish his crops and keep pests under control.

TAKING OFF THE MASK

Tairea’s passion for plants led to a career as an extension officer for the Ministry of Agriculture. “They were into chemicals,” he says, “and at first I thought that was awesome, too.” That is, until his health began to suffer after he used some of the sulphur sprays the Ministry recommended.

“Normally when you get affected by a product you get compensation, but they said it was my fault because I didn’t wear a face mask,” he says. “I thought, I’m not going to wear a face mask while I’m growing food!”