Food Security Focus

I’ve had a couple of big weeks considering what food security means for New Zealand. We have one of the highest rates of natural disasters in the world, and incredibly brittle supply chains as a long, skinny country divided into two main islands.

All my work in the last fortnight has reminded me of the power of community as a solution to these challenges. Yesterday, with the help of Food Secure North Canterbury, we bought together our local councils, Civil Defence, our supermarkets, farmers markets, Federated Farmers, public health professionals and other food and community groups to consider our food security.

It was a long-held vision of mine, after being involved in food activations after both the Christchurch & Kaikōura earthquakes. On the face of it, these different parts of the food system should have little in common. But when asked to put their community first, there wasn’t even a second of hesitation to work together to find solutions.

I believe this is possible for Aotearoa as a whole. I would really like us to create a strategic plan before we need to. When we’re importing beef to stock our supermarket shelves, I don’t think that time is far away.

Eat New Zealand understands our food system and works hard to ensure there is a nourishing future for us all. Please consider supporting our work. There are some wonderful, informative, fun and delicious ways to do so below.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou
ka ora ai te iwi

With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive

Angela Clifford

CE Eat New Zealand. @eat.newzealand

The Taste of NZ Collectors Box!

As part of our journey towards our 10th Birthday in May 2025, we're excited to be launching; The Taste of New Zealand Collectors Box!

This will be a one-of-a-kind selection of edible treats crafted by some of our most talented chefs from across Aotearoa, each telling a story of New Zealand food. We'll be introducing them and their creations over the coming weeks...

First up is Max Gordy, chef and co-owner of Graze Wine Bar in Wellington and an #EatNZKaitaki. Watch the video (below) to find out what he'll be contributing!

Anyone who donates $500+ to our fundraising campaign will be eligible to receive a Taste of NZ Collectors Box. There will only be a limited number available, so get in quick so you don't miss out and donate today!

Donate Now to receive a Taste of NZ Collectors Box

Food Systems with Jade Miles

As part of our new CONVERSATIONZ Webinar series, next Thursday 31st October, we're excited to have Jade Miles, the CEO of Sustainable Table in Australia join us in conversation that will focus on food systems.

Jade Miles is a local food advocate and educator, business builder, food co-op founder, author, podcaster and regenerative heritage fruit farmer. Together with her husband and three kids, she runs Black Barn Farm, a biodiverse orchard, nursery and workshop space in Northeast Victoria. At Sustainable Table she supports regenerative projects that are building capacity and expediting change across Australia.

We're particularly interested in the work that's happening over there in the grains space, including: Grain diversity for brewing, the Indigenous grains initiative and Regenerative grains storage. This will be a fascinating conversation and we hope you'll join us!

Sustainable Table Conversation: A Food Systems Webinar with Jade Miles.

Thursday 31st October at 7pm

Online Webinar via Zoom

Register to attend: here

If you aren't able to make the time, you can still register and you will be sent a recording following the conversation.

These CONVERSATIONZ are all part of our journey to celebrating our 10 Year Hui in May 2025. Your attendance and contribution are vital to help us get there.

Walking Plates in Pōneke!

Join us on Thursday 21st November for Walking Plates, as we dish up discussion on NZ Grains. Where every bite is a step towards a great cause and building a local grain economy for Aotearoa.

With three stops in the evening, things will kick off with a grain-related snack at Shelly Bay Baker on Leeds Street. Then, we’ll saunter over to Loretta for a fabulous whiskey cocktail and another tantalising snack crafted by our Eat NZ Kaitaki chefs. We’ll wrap things up at LTD/Everybody Eats Restaurant, with dinner and dessert, paired with Huntress Wines.

This isn’t just a dinner—it’s a celebration of the talent behind NZ Grains, featuring insights from Sam Forbes (Shelly Bay Bakery), Max Gordy (Graze), Julie Clark (Floriditas & Loretta), and more! For just $150 per person, it includes snacks, dinner, and drinks, with all proceeds going towards our fundraising campaign and the Eat NZ Kaitaki Collective.

Don’t miss out on this magical night of flavour, fun, and philanthropy!

Secure your spot at Walking Plates in Wellington!

Metro Restaurant of the Year Awards

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to some of our #EatNZKaitaki whānau who were acknowledged at The Metro Restaurant of the Year Awards in Tāmaki Makaurau last week.

Our Kaitaki lead Kate Underwood and her team at Forest took out Supreme Winner for Restaurant of the Year along with Best Smart Dining and Best Dessert, for their 26 seat, female led, vegetarian restaurant on Dominion Road.

Chef Jono Thevenar (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāpuhi) and his crew at Pici won Best Casual Dining for their thriving pasta and wine bar in St. Kevins Arcade on Karangahape Road. They also picked up Runner Up Best Restaurateur.

Front of House legend Chloe Eberly and her team at Hugo's Bistro in the CBD also picked up Runner Up for Best Service.

At a time when hospitality and restaurants are up against it, it’s great to see this important part of our food system being uplifted and celebrated!

We hear there are some exciting plans in the works to do the same in Wellington on the 2nd December...follow @wellyhospitalityawards for details.

Other Tongue in Ōtautahi by Ruby

Eat NZ Kaitaki and Melbourne based artist Ruby White, has an incredible kai-centric exhibition happening at The Physics Room in Ōtautahi Christchurch this weekend.

OTHER TONGUE 餓 ghost kitchen is an exchange and collaboration with artist Ruby White, Bus Project (Naarm, Australia) and The Physics Room (Ōtautahi, Aotearoa). Across these two cities and two exhibiting galleries, Ruby has developed a takeaway food service, offering nourishing meals that honour birthing, menstruating bodies and bring comfort to those looking for some inner healing.

"When I designed this menu I took into consideration my own limitations as the full-time carer of our 1 year old, and the kinds of food/services people already have access to." say Ruby. You can read more about the exhibition here.

For those in Christchurch you can pre-order your selection of postpartum kai (see menu below) for collection this Saturday 26th October between 11am - 4pm from The Physics Room. Happy feasting!