Whakaora Kai

11/06/2026

🌱 He mihi nui ki te rōpū Horticulture o NorthTec! 🌱

A huge thank you to the amazing tauira in the Northtec horticulture course (NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Skills Level 2) for sharing their beautiful pak choi with Whakaora Kai.

Some of this fresh, vibrant kai went straight to the Whare Āwhina Social Supermarket, and the rest was shared with other groups who are out there cooking, serving, and spreading aroha through kai in our community.

He taonga te kai hauora — fresh, healthy kai is such a gift, nourishing not just puku but whānau and community connections too. Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou — your mahi and generosity make a real difference.

If this inspires you and you’d love to learn how to grow kai for yourself and others, check out NorthTec’s Horticulture Course. It’s Zero Fees, and the next intake starts August 2026.

👉 https://www.northtec.ac.nz/programmes/new-zealand-certificate-in-primary-industry-skills-level-2-horticulture

Tirohia — it could be the start of something awesome.

04/06/2026

Ohhh get in quick - Michelle from the community cafe is sharing all her delicious secrets on how to get the most out of your kai - waste less and save money at the wrap-up Event for Every Bite. 🙌🙌
Saturday 6 June 2-4pm Whare Āwhina Community Cafe

✅ Chef Michelle will demonstrate fermentation processes using fruits of the season and walk us through the steps to making chutneys and pickles.

✅ Share what you’ve learned and hear from others in the group.

✅ Attend our wrap-up event to complete the programme and for the chance to win some fantastic prizes.

Sign Up Today! Its FREE!!!!

Be part of this movement to reduce food waste, save money, and build a stronger, more sustainable community! Spaces are limited, so register now by clicking the link below:

Every Bite Whangārei - Food Appreciation Movement

23/04/2026

Learn some tips and tricks to eat in season, make your kai go further and save some money!

Register for the Whangarei Every Bite programme being organised by EcoSolutions; a CBEC enterprise.

The first session is hosted by Michelle at the Whare Āwhina Community Cafe on Saturday May 2 from 4.30pm.

Michelle is a food superstar and makes "the best" kai. You need to register, so get in quick as this is an amazing opportunity to see Michelle in action.

They will be using rescued food from Whakaora Kai.

To register go to:
https://events.humanitix.com/every-bite-whangarei-may-2026-love-your-kai?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=Facebook_Desktop_Feed&utm_campaign=FAM+2026%3A+Conversion&utm_content=CBEC+Whang%C4%81rei+Event&utm_id=120240103835920539&utm_term=120240265936090539&fbclid=IwY2xjawRWVClleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqy4dLNWtu3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5QR1-Ijhal4_NX9pJrwjw4dKhIaKo_py1wYLGYTWYa8f8KstOEaVELeIIJ4Q_aem_03apCIPYHeREz8z22hK8jA

22/04/2026

You may see lots of cherry tomatoes around this week.

They are like little gems of deliciousness!
Although first thoughts are of salads - there are so many things you can do with them....
- have them as a snack
- put them on a pizza
- put them in a sandwich
- cut them in half sprinkle them with garlic salt and pepper and roast as a side dish
- make a salsa with chopped cherry tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic
- make a fresh pasta sauce
- avocado on toast topped with sliced cherry tomatoes
- make a mediterranean pasta salad
- add them when cooking up mince
- put some in a casserole, paella or a bake
- preserve them by making a relish
- freeze them to use in soups and stews when you need them
- pickle them in vinegar
and I'm sure there are 100's more suggestions.
Look out for them, treasure and enjoy them.

Special thanks to New Zealand Food Network for sharing them around the country and to the generous hands that grew and donated them.

01/04/2026

✨ A huge shout‑out to Julian from Huanui College! ✨
For his Bar Mitzvah, Julian chose something truly special — instead of gifts, he asked guests to bring donations for Whakaora Kai. Those donations have now been passed on to the Whare Āwhina Social Supermarket, where whānau doing it tough can choose the kai that best suits them.
Julian, your generosity, thoughtfulness, and heart for community are something to celebrate. You’ve shown how one young person’s kindness can ripple out and make a real difference.
If you’re feeling inspired, we’d love your support too. Every act of giving — big or small — helps keep our community fed, supported, and connected. 💛
Let’s keep the kindness flowing across Whangārei.

25/03/2026

Thanks to New Zealand Food Network we have lots of delicious red kiwifruit being distributed into the community.
If you haven't tried them before you are in for a treat! They are sweet, juicy and delicious. But here are some tips:
- At the moment they are quite firm - keep them in the fridge until you are ready to use them, then leave them out for a few day to ripen.
- They don't taste good until they are soft and ripe - but once they are ripe they are extremely fragile and have soft skin so be gentle.
- They ripen quickly - so keep an eye on them!
It's a bit like the whole avocado situation keep checking and when they are soft eat them quickly.
- They are super nutritious, high in fibre and Vitamin C. For recipe ideas check out https://5aday.co.nz/search/results?q=kiwifruit

24/03/2026

Are you curious about where rescued kai ends up?
In 2025, We shared kai with 129 different community groups/organisations.

A key place for our rescued kai is the Whare Āwhina Community Café, at 93 Cameron Street.
They serve delicious meals 6 days a week to anyone in need of kai – manaakitanga in action!
In 2025 they received 16tonnes of rescued kai and turned it into 25,258 delicious, nourishing, wholesome meals for those in need of kai. Michelle their chef, is legendary at being able to use some of the more unusual donations we get such as daikon radish, and an array of herbs and leafy greens.

Special thanks to all the business who donate kai, but special mention to Woolworths New Zealand for making food rescue a priority and ensuring food that is still good to eat ends up in hungry bellies rather than landfill. Much of the food for the café comes from our regular Woolworths New Zealand kai collections.

19/03/2026

Prices are rising, and we know more whānau in our community need support than ever before. We’re proud to work alongside other support organisations so that, together, we can do the very best for our communities.

A heartfelt acknowledgement to the team at Whangārei Salvation Army — Carl, Shane, and everyone involved — who work closely with us to make sure kai reaches the people who need it most. We appreciate the reciprocal support you give us and the Whare Āwhina Social Supermarket.

A message from Carl:
“We are extremely grateful to Whakaora Kai Food Rescue for their wonderful support over the years. We receive produce, dairy products, grocery items, and meat at key times, helping to supplement our Social Supermarket. These supplies have been crucial in enabling us to continue delivering a high standard of service and kai support for our community. Ngā mihi nui Whakaora Kai! Thank you for the amazing collaboration.”
— Carl Worthington, TSA Whangārei Food Security Team Leader

17/03/2026

On tonight- if u have ever been curious to see what we do and where we are - tonight is a great night to find out!

Green Drinks will be hosted by Whakaora Kai Food Rescue Northland and Whare Āwhina Social Supermarket TONIGHT.

Whakaora Kai partner with local businesses that have surplus food or food that may go to waste and match it to the more than 120 organisations who receive kai and share it with communities.

In 2025 Whakaora Kai distributed 264,000kg of food, which saved our community $1,800,000 and prevented 638,000kg of CO2 emissions.

You will also get to see the Whare Āwhina Social Supermarket and learn how it works in partnership with Whakaora Kai to provide kai support with dignity.

Come along on Tues 17th March @ 6pm – 7.30pm at 1 Woods Road, Whangārei
(look for the Kereru on the side of the building)

Snacks and refreshments courtesy of Whakaora Kai.

Wear warm clothing – it can get cold in the warehouse in the evening.

We look forward to seeing you there.

01/03/2026

Do you love taking photos of your food?
If you do - here is the competition for you!
Photograph your leftovers and log them at Love Food Hate Waste - New Zealand to go into the draw for free groceries!!!!

We love leftovers! Let's CELEBRATE them!