Announcing our Next Gen Food Leaders for 2023/2024

This will be the fourth year we’ve put out the call for our Kaitaki - next generation food leaders across Aotearoa. Each year I think surely we must be touching the sides of the awesomeness of what comes next for New Zealand food. And each year the awesomeness just grows exponentially.

Feeling disillusioned? Check this list out. Worried about what’s around the corner? Look at who’s keen to take over the steering wheel. We are in the best, brightest and most exciting of hands my friends. From farmers to chefs, students to community leaders, health professionals to activists, this cohort grows beyond my wildest dreams.

It’s led by Kate Underwood, herself the embodiment of a Kaitaki, a communication specialist weaving her magic from a sunny table in the exciting Forest Restaurant, Tāmaki Auckland.

What's also struck us this year was the reach out from many of those we already consider leaders in New Zealand food. We look forward to finding ways to weave their special skills into supporting those who are up and coming.

And none of this would be possible without the support of Our Land and Water National Science Challenge.

So now, over to Kate to announce this year’s Eat New Zealand Kaitaki…head to our website to meet them here.

Angela Clifford, CE Eat New Zealand.

@eat.newzealand #KnowYourFarmer #KnowYourFisher #EatNZGrains #GrowFoodCommunities #EatNZKaitaki #RepurposeTheSurplus #LotsOfLittle #Biodiversity #FeastMatariki #MahikaKai

Meet our *NEW* Eat NZ Kaitaki for 2023/2024 HERE!

Petition Presented at Parliament

Last week we presented our petition to the government calling for a community-led, values-based National Food Strategy for Aotearoa.

The petition was accepted by Ingrid Leary MP for Taieri. Ingrid has some of the highest levels of food insecurity in her constituency. We now wait for a new government to be formed and the petition committee to take the call forward.

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition as well as the 71 organisations and businesses who stood alongside us.

We know this isn't the only pathway to a fairer, more accessible and delicious food system, and acknowledge everyone doing the mahi in their communities on a daily basis. However keeping pressure on the government is another tool we have to push for change.

This pathway wouldn't have been possible without the help of Freedom Farms NZ & Vets for AWA. Legends both.

Also a shoutout to our Kaitaki Max Gordy & Gabby Arnott for supporting on the day. 💚

#EatNZ #GrowFoodCommunities