From Us to You
Matariki Mushrooms is a family business run by Mihau and Valetta Sówka, now based on the Kāpiti Coast after many years in Tasman’s beautiful Motueka Valley.
We started growing native mushrooms in 2020 and founded our business in 2021. That year, with the generous support of Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, we began offering wānanga at Te Awhina Marae, teaching whānau how to grow their own mushrooms. Through the challenging COVID times we kept operating as an essential business providing fresh kai.
Since then we have run dozens of workshops and wānanga across Aotearoa, researched how native fungi can help heal contaminated soils through mycoremediation, and published Valetta’s bilingual children’s book, Family of Forest & Fungi / He Tukutuku Toiora.
Today we run hands-on workshops on growing native fungi at home across the Wellington region and the lower and central North Island, along with tailored wānanga for schools and community groups. We’re always keen to hear from people and organisations interested in collaborating, whether that’s hosting a workshop or partnering on mycoremediation and other fungi projects. Please get in touch!
Mihau Sówka
Mihau is originally Polish-German and grew up in Southwest Germany. His fascination with fungi comes from his Polish heritage; his grandfather had a business growing mushrooms in abandoned war bunkers. Since early childhood Mihau joined his family on annual mushroom gatherings in the local forests.
The harvested mushrooms then would be dried, frozen, pickled and of course, enjoyed prepared in many different dishes. His later studies of environmental science and permaculture extended this fascination beyond food.
Valetta Sówka
Valetta is of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Te Arawa iwi. She was raised in the Whanganui area and is of Māori and a mixed bag of European ancestry. Valetta studied at the NZ Film & Television School, and then worked in media overseas for different permaculture institutes.
On the permaculture path she learned the importance of earth care, fair share, and importantly, people care. Since returning to Aotearoa and beginning a family she is determined to help whānau to rediscover and celebrate their traditional healthy heritage and kai.
Creative Partnerships
Matariki Mushrooms has been honoured to receive the support of and work alongside Te Pūtahitangi o te Waipounamu.
Matariki Mushrooms was enrolled in the Mahitahi Colab business mentorship programme of April 2021.
In 2021 Matariki Mushrooms collaborated with Te Āwhina Marae to provide wānanga training in how to grow their own fresh mushrooms, as part of their food sovereignty programme.
In 2023, Valetta was invited to participate in the Nelson Arts Festival as part of thei Pukapuka Talks programme, for her book 'Family of Forest & Fungi: He Tukutuku Toiora'.
In 2024, Matariki Mushrooms has been generously invited to give a kōrero at the Kōanga Kai Wananga in Ōtautahi.
