On 2 September 2026, Trash Free Taiaotea launched a new community initiative to reduce kai going to waste in a way that also looks after our neighbours: a community food pantry at the Rangitoto Kindergarten’s community garden site in Mairangi Bay. The launch was exactly two years to the day since the ribbon cutting of the fantastic Browns Bay Pātaka Kai.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Gregg Walden cut the ribbon at both celebration events, accompanied by tamariki who will support these projects in years to come. Gregg spoke about the value of community in supporting initiatives like these, noting that without community, there is no Local Board and no East Coast Bays.
These Pātaka Kai create space for people to donate surplus food items, or collect food they might need, encouraging a spirit of solidarity, manaakitanga, kotahitanga and kaitiakitanga. The space exists so that food is eaten and enjoyed rather than going to landfill where it creates methane gas that contributes to climate change.
Since 2024, the Browns Bay Pātaka Kai located at Browns Bay Presbyterian Church, has included a collaboration with New World Browns Bay that regularly donate kai. As a result over three tonnes of food is being diverted from landfill each year and sustaining the community instead.
Trash Free Taiaotea, who initiated and manage these community resources, hope to emulate this success at the new pātaka kai, and to include a garden-to-table style of food donation building on the kaupapa of sharing kai and reducing waste.
In both places they are guided by these words: Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te hapori - working together for the health and wellbeing of the community.