Everyone eats. In a community where our people face some of the most dire health statistics in Aotearoa, we strive for a future where everyone has access to affordable and nourishing kai. We envision a local and sovereign kai system that is circular and sustainable, and protects our natural resources.
Making it easy for our tamariki, whānau and our whole hāpori to access good kai is vital for creating a healthier and happier Tairāwhiti, Ōpōtiki and East Cape region. That is why we are working with stakeholders and our community partners to re-activate the kai system to make healthy kai more accessible and affordable.
Why is this important?
Tairawhiti has the highest rates of overall avoidable mortality and morbidity, and high rates of ambulatory sensitive hospitalisations.
Factors contributing to our poor health stats include obesity rates, especially in tamariki, that are significantly higher than the national average
In five years (2016-2021) the cost of buying eight basic supermarket items has increased between 20 and 30 percent across Gisborne’s three supermarkets and one Four Square.
How we're increasing access to healthy and affordable kai
We have led large scale community engagement across Te Tairāwhiti through our Kitchen Table Talks with Te Mahinga Kai o Tairāwhiti, with a focus on the kai system. The insights from this engagement have been consolidated into a comprehensive consultation summary which has been further strengthened by further insights from whānau and stakeholders, outlining their food experiences from COVID-19. These insights are being used to inform decision makers, as well as inspiring action that addresses the unique needs of these local communities in order to create a resilient and regenerative food system.
We have conducted a comprehensive mapping and desktop analysis of both the Tairāwhiti and Ōpōtiki ecosystems, with a focus on kai and the environments that impact on our kai.
We have supported grassroots community organisations and collectives.
Reports
Call to Act
Get in touch with us and share your learning and knowledge of how we can make good food the reality.
Work with us to bring in more ideas and design real solutions for action in our region - Te Tairāwhiti, Ōpōtiki and the coastal region.
Use your consumer power to support healthy kai retailers in your community.
Join us to continue to lift the community voice to influence change to our kai environment.