Nelson Environment Centre

07/10/2026

💚

Small teams. Huge mahi. $99 million worth of kai reaching communities.

Over the past year, AFRA’s 37 members delivered $99 million worth of food into communities across Aotearoa, with an average of just 2.25 full-time staff per organisation.

Behind that number is an incredible amount of mahi: collecting, sorting, storing and distributing kai, building relationships with food donors and community organisations, coordinating volunteers, keeping operations moving and making sure good food gets where it’s needed.

And it’s not just paid staff making this happen. Thousands of volunteers give their time, energy and skills to support food rescue every week.

These are small teams doing extraordinary things, powered by dedicated volunteers and strong community relationships. We’re incredibly proud of what our members achieve every day, and grateful to everyone who helps make it possible.

06/10/2026

If you can support us 👇
www.nec.org.nz/donate

05/10/2026

Big thank you to our friends at Kiwibank Nelson for spring cleaning Te Whare O Kai Rescue inside and out. And for helping find a solution to our one-way pallet challenge. We made a vegetable garden bed! Now we just need soil and plants. Thank you Kiwibank - you’re worth your weight in gold.

01/10/2026

👻 Things are getting spooky at the Nelson Environment Centre OpShop!

Here's the real horror story: costumes worn once, then thrown away. 😱

Every item that finds a new home stays out of York Valley landfill.
So this year why don't you consider:
👻 Shopping second hand for your costume
🦇 Donating your old costumes when you're done
🧙 Keeping the magic going for someone else

Every purchase also helps fund our community programmes across Nelson Tasman.
📍6 Vivian Place, Annesbrook

30/09/2026

DIA is proposing to cut Community Advisor roles and move them to hubs outside Te Tauihu.

Our advisors know this community. They make sure local groups are connected, supported and funded. Losing that local presence puts a lot at stake.

If you're part of a community organisation, please add your name to the Kōtuitui letter by 6pm Tuesday 6 October.

Sign on here: https://kotuitui.org/article/lets-keep-dia-community-advisors-in-te-tauihu/

Please share.

30/09/2026

Well, well, well. Zoie has swooped in and taken the lead with $264! 👑 Lightning Lucy is just $21 behind, and the Garys are proving slow and steady still rescues kai 🐌

But don't get comfy up front. Our other 8 runners are revving up and starting to make their moves. This race is far from over! 🏃‍♀️💨

Every $20 raised rescues around 20 kg of good food, keeping it out of landfill and getting it onto plates across Nelson Tasman.

Back a runner, or better yet, become one! Sign up to run for Kai Rescue in the Spectacle and join the fun.
👉 spectacle26.grassrootz.com/kai-rescue-nelson-environment-centre

29/09/2026

We are incredibly proud of Magenta Creative Space for reaching their fundraising target.

They still have some amazing paintings available for sale which will help them get past their shortfall. Check out Magenta Creative Space and if you see a piece you love, your purchase will make such a difference.

29/09/2026

A big thank you to NBS for supporting Kai Rescue 💚

Their community funding is going straight into our day-to-day food rescue work. It helps keep our team and volunteers on the road, collecting good surplus food and getting it to more than 65 community groups across Nelson Tasman.

That means less food in landfill and more kai on tables for around 3,000 people each week.

NBS backs over 300 local not-for-profits, made possible by the 21,000+ people who bank with them. Every one of those clients is part of this too.

Thank you, NBS. Good food belongs on plates, not in bins.

28/09/2026

Nau mai, haere mai to Kent Yarrall, who has joined our Board of Trustees. Kent has a background in helping organisations grow stronger and build sound financial management.

Kent says: "I've always been environmentally conscious, but since my son was born I've felt a stronger pull to be more deliberate about contributing to the environmental space. When the opportunity to join the NEC board came up, I was genuinely excited, as I already knew about the great work they do and the purpose that drives them.

I'd love to help the organisation achieve secure, long-term financial stability so it can continue delivering the amazing services it already provides, while also having the capacity to expand or introduce new initiatives that add even more value to our community."

24/09/2026

Kia ora and welcome to Sarah Kerby, who has joined the Nelson Environment Centre Board of Trustees. As an elected member of Nelson City Council and a wearer of many hats, Sarah needs no introduction, and we are so pleased she has chosen to join our board.

Sarah says: "I want to join the Nelson Environment Centre Board because I care about practical environmental action that also makes life more affordable, from repairing and reusing items to reducing waste. I'm also concerned about food sovereignty and community resilience. Having founded Bellyful in Nelson, I know the value of community-led action around food, and I'd love to see the Centre and Kai Rescue continue helping our community waste less, share more and build a more resilient future."