Zero waste.
Zero hunger.
Nau mai ki te Whakaora Kai
Kai is precious and so is our planet. We are a food rescue charity in Northland that collects quality food destined for landfill and shares it with community organisations across Taitokerau.
A full puku is a happy puku
Food should never be wasted. At Whakaora Kai, we are a Northland food rescue charity on a mission to reduce methane emissions by preventing food waste. and supply kai to community groups working with those in need.
We do this by partnering with growers, suppliers and retailers to collect surplus food and then sorting and matching it with more than 100 organisations that work with us and can share it with their communities.
Food fact:
8% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste
Food fact:
30% of all food produced goes to waste
Protecting papatūānuku
Food waste in landfill breaks down to methane, a gas that has a stronger effect on the climate than CO2. Preventing food waste going to landfill is the fastest and most cost-effective climate lever in the food system.
When rescued food feeds people it displaces the need to produce new food, avoiding emissions from farming, transport, refrigeration and packaging.
Our hub has a zero waste ethos and food that cannot be distributed is diverted to animal feed or compost and all recyclable materials are cleaned and sent for recycling.
As Northland's dedicated food rescue charity, we're supporting people, reducing food waste and helping to protect our environment for a more sustainable future.
Sharing kai?
If you are a registered charity, marae, kura or sports club that can share kai with your community.
Have surplus kai?
If you are a food producer or supplier with kai to donate.
Last year
(1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026):
204.3 tonnes
of food rescued
20.4 tonnes
of food donated
119
groups received rescued food
217.8 tonnes
of food distributed to community
483,900
meals created from rescued food
593 tonnes
of carbon emissions reduced
Our impact
"Our whānau are very grateful for the kai you provide. It brings big smiles and helps relieve some of the financial pressure for families.
We are also able to use some of the kai for our tamariki, which gives them more choice and variety in their menu. This has been especially helpful, so when different options are available, we really appreciate being able to use them.
We have also received items such as lotions and sunblock at times, which has been an added bonus for our whānau, especially with prices having increased so much. We truly appreciate what you bring and the difference this kaupapa makes for our community. Ngā mihi nui."
Katherine - Manaia View Kindergarten
Our impact
"Just wanted to let you know that we had Tikipunga Community Kai on Wednesday night and we had about 70 people turn up cold and hungry, so it was lovely to be able to cook them a hot meal of curried sausages and veggies. They absolutely loved the meal and said how nice everything was. They really appreciated it as things are really tough out there at the moment, so thanks again for your donations they really make a difference in people's lives.
Really appreciate it thanks."
- Olive Branch Outreach and Tikipunga Community Meal
Our impact
"Thank you again for the comforters and blankets. I can’t tell you enough the difference they will make to our whānau, especially through winter. For us, the blankets and comforters are an incredible resource to have, especially given the constraints of budgets and financing. Kia pai to awhi. Your support will mean we are able to bolster our stock which has run out in the past."
Dean - Manawa Ora Programme (Te Whatu Ora)
Our impact
"Thank you so much for the incredible donation of sausages. As we all know, meat is incredibly expensive and donations of meat have gone down drastically. This donation in particular has meant at least 50 whanau a week are getting protein, thank you so much for this and the incredible partnership that we have with you and NZFN.."
Teneille - Salvation Army Whangarei
Our impact
"Everything we get from Whakaora Kai is the best. Very grateful with all that we receive."
Sandra - Whangarei Maori Women's Welfare League
Our impact
"The kai we receive makes a ton of difference. It helps with Grandmothers and their mokopuna stretch their funds that little bit more by not having to buy produce and basic kai."
Heather - Whangarei Māori Women's Welfare League
“When there is food insecurity in this country it makes no sense to be chucking out food”
-Former Whakaora Kai Manager, Pete Nicholas
Looking for individual food support?
We don’t provide kai or food parcels directly to individual whānau. If you are seeking kai for yourself, please reach out to Whare Āwhina if you are in Whangārei or check out the Family Services Directory to find details of your nearest foodbank.
