Glimmers of Hope

Truthfully, it's been a really tough year for Eat New Zealand. We've seen sectors that support a connected, thriving food system come under huge pressure. From government agencies to small food producers, the science community to hospitality and tourism, from the primary sector to us all and our ability to afford good food. Not surprisingly, that's also reduced our ability to thrive.

Despite all that we are still here, working with sparks of people, ideas and organisations that will undoubtedly light the way out of our current darkness.

One of our ongoing hopeful projects we haven't spoken much about is the development of a Grain Mark for Aotearoa. Working with the Foundation for Arable Research, it will enable you, as eaters, to support our arable farmers. So, as we say good bye to 2024 & look forward to 2025, we hold onto glimmers of hope from communities wanting to celebrate who they are, and to the idea that we should have access to kai that keeps us well. This enables us to celebrate New Zealand as a food destination and share our abundant tables.

Whatever you're able to put on your table this Christmas, we wish you peace and rest. We hope you're able to connect with our natural world, dip your toes in water, and slip your sunhat over your face, as you digest the year that was.

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete ki a koutou.

Angela Clifford CE Eat New Zealand. @eat.newzealand

If you believe in our mahi we'd be so grateful for your support.

Ōtepoti students deliver Kai Mākona

We're so proud to have partnered with Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga Bachelor of Culinary Arts in the Kai Mākona activation that took place last month. Kai Mākona is an interactive food market event featuring 5 different food stalls that reconsidered our food system, each highlighting the transformation of a different ‘rescued food’ ingredient. They utilised wasted bread and pastries from Kiwi Harvest, lamb cuts, by-catch from Harbour Fish and ground hazelnut flour from Dunford Grove.

This is some incredible leadership and inspiration for the future of our food system. We particularly love the movement from simply re-purposing food to asking the big questions of why it is wasted in the first place. The systems and critical thinking these students apply makes them wonderful food citizens, whatever path their futures take. A huge congratulations to lecturers Adrian Woodhouse and Hayley Dodd, for their vision and hard work.

Kai advice from NZ's Top Chefs

Last month we hosted another beautiful kōrero as part of our CONVERSATIONZ Webinar Series in the lead up to our 10th Anniversary Hui in May 2025. Angela spoke with two of Aotearoa's most respected chefs - Peter Gordon and Giulio Sturla. Together they shared some incredibly personal stories and anecdotes from their careers so far. Highlights include: (Click to watch the short video clips)

• Peter Gordon: Advice to Young Chefs and why you don't have to be the next Jamie Oliver.
• Giulio Sturla: On how we inspire our children to be connected to our food.

Spotlight on our Eat NZ Kaitaki

A huge congratulations to some of our Kaitaki who have been celebrated and recognised recently: Sam 'The Trap Man' Gibson, was named a Semi-Finalist in the New Zealander of the Year 2025 Sustainability Leader of the Year. His incredible mahi as a trapper and conservation communicator have been rightfully recognised. We think his book "Cracking yarns and tall tales from the bush" would make a great last minute Christmas gift!

Earlier this month down in Pōneke at the Welly Hospo Awards, Max Gordy took out Outstanding Chef and Graze Wine Bar received Outstanding Restaurant. Another Kaitaki Jack Rainey, Restaurant Manager at Everybody Eats picked up the Sustainability Award for his important role. Congrats to all involved!

Kaitaki lead Kate Underwood featured on the More Good Drinks '2024 Ones to Watch List' for her role at Forest Restaurant. She joins a wave of FOH and bartenders who are serving drinks in a whole new way. Read the full list here.

This week, winemaker and wild food hunter Jannine Rickards was named in Viva's Most Fabulous People 2024. After a huge year of mahi with Huntress Wines which was also named in the Viva Top 50 Wineries in 2024.

You're all legends!