Kai West Collective

01/10/2026

The Auckland Heritage Festival offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the stories, places, food and traditions that have shaped West Auckland.

Across a range of events, we can learn from those who came before us and discover how people adapted to a new land while carrying their cultures, knowledge and food traditions with them.

Here is a list of events happening across West Auckland:

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2026/10/the-olives-and-the-vines-hafla/?source=/heritage-festival/heritage-festival-events/

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2026/10/painted-heirlooms-painting-workshop/?source=/heritage-festival/heritage-festival-events/

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2026/10/te-kete-kai-o-kaipara/?source=/heritage-festival/heritage-festival-events/

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2026/10/tamariki-uku-workshop-vegetable-trinket-trays/?source=/heritage-festival/heritage-festival-events/

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2026/10/turning-the-pages-auckland-library-history/?source=/heritage-festival/heritage-festival-events/

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2026/10/cookbookery-with-te-radar/?source=/heritage-festival/heritage-festival-events/

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2026/09/growing-out-west-how-migrants-fed-auckland/?source=/heritage-festival/heritage-festival-events/

Kai West

Join us for an archival exhibition about the people who established the vital market gardens and orchards of West Auckland.

22/09/2026

🌱 A little something special happened at the Piha Market last Saturday… 🌱

The Piha Kai Collective kicked off their very first Kai Swap Table, bringing a beautiful selection of local goodies to share, swap and celebrate.

There were seeds, seedlings, home baking and insanely delicious garden produce, with plenty of kōrero and connection along the way. 🥕🌻🌱

And the best part? You didn’t need money to take part.
The invitation was to get creative about what you could offer in exchange. A song, some flowers, a piece of advice, a handful of seeds, something from your garden, or simply something you had to share.
One of the ideas was to swap seeds, grow them at home, and bring back a share of the plant’s produce for the next month’s table. 🌿

It’s a simple idea, but one that speaks to something much bigger: sharing what we have, growing what we can, and keeping kai, knowledge and generosity moving through our community.
A beautiful first step for the Piha Kai Collective and their vision for a more connected, local and resilient kai system in Piha. 💚

He kai kei aku ringa.
There is food within my hands.

Ngā mihi to Waitākere Ranges Local Board for their support.

19/09/2026

The Auckland Heritage Festival is nearly here - 26 September - 11 October 2026. This year's theme is "Tastes of Tāmaki: A Heritage Feast", so there are lots of free and cool kaupapa to enjoy!

Join us on the 1st of October as we launch our series of stories from the past of Kai in West Auckland.

https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2026/10/west-auckland-kai-stories-past-present-future/?source=/heritage-festival/heritage-festival-events/&fbclid=IwRlRTSAUa2S1wZG9mAWZkaWQWUOuu3MpSaa1-4k6H3HbyYzS7Xm11LGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR75GNoQrHIMOspzpVlTOWqXRDeXHif6kp97g5aNNL4HYr3fW6pyZ7-DkPCxog_aem_AIrLy5vkgvsgk_fJGj-kRQ

This event features a mix of video and photo exhibition with kōrero to launch the West Auckland Kai Stories project.

07/08/2026

Still buzzing from our time with Te Kawerau ā Maki💚

Some experiences stay with you long after the day is over. The kōrero, the connections, and the shared commitment to caring for the whenua have left us inspired for what's ahead.

We're looking forward to continuing this journey together!

30/07/2026

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the whenua, our relationship with Te Kawerau ā Maki, its rich history, and the mātauranga that continues to shape and sustain the whenua today.

From learning about the meaningful places and how these places once connected people through waka journeys, trade, and shared knowledge, we gained a greater appreciation for the enduring relationship between people and place. These stories remind us that the landscape holds generations of history, resilience, and identity.
The kōrero highlighted the wealth of ancestral Matauranga and reinforced that kaitiakitanga begins with connection, understanding the whenua, respecting its stories, and carrying that responsibility forward for future generations.

As Kai West continues to grow, so too does our commitment to working alongside mana whenua with respect, curiosity, and a shared vision for the future.

Ngā mihi nui to Te Kawerau ā Maki for your generosity, your hospitality, and for trusting us with your stories. We look forward to continuing this journey together.

Shout out to Kaitiaki Creative! Ngā mihi for your support and photo shooting.

21/07/2026

🚨 We're Recruiting! 🌱💚

Are you passionate about community development, local food systems, and creating lasting change in West Auckland?

Kai West is looking for a Kai Community Developer to join our team on a fixed-term, 20 hours per week basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside an incredible network of community leaders, organisations, marae, and local initiatives to strengthen food resilience, support neighbourhood-led action, and help grow a more regenerative and equitable local food system.

If you're someone who enjoys building relationships, bringing people together, and turning ideas into action, we'd love to hear from you!

👉 Apply here: https://jobs.dogoodjobs.co.nz/job/21747/kai-community-developer-fixed-term-20-hours-week/

📢 Please share this post with anyone in your networks who might be the perfect fit.

Together, we're growing the conditions for communities to thrive. 🌿

Kai Community Developer (Fixed term 20 hours/week) Got a knack for bringing people together around good kai? Join the Kai West Collective and help turn community ideas into action, connecting local leaders, growing food networks, and building a more resilient, equitable food system across West Auc

16/07/2026

🤝 We're proud members of the Community Climate Action Network (CCAN), which brings together organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau to strengthen community led climate action.

Join CCAN's next free Hui, Advocacy in Action, to hear guest speakers share practical approaches to community advocacy.

Whether you're part of a community organisation, volunteer your time, or are simply interested in community climate action, you'll leave with practical ideas, new connections and resources you can adapt for your own community.

📅 Wednesday 29 July
🕛 12pm - 2pm
📍 Grey Lynn Community Centre, Main Hall
🎟️ Cost: FREE (with lunch provided)

Register now 👉 https://bit.ly/4aQMuZU


Kai Te Atatū

Join the Campaign for Climate Hui 2026. Explore practical, non-partisan strategies to strengthen community advocacy ahead of the election.

10/07/2026

As we celebrate Matariki, we take time to reflect on the year that has been, honouring the challenges we've overcome, the achievements we've shared, and the people who have walked alongside us.
Matariki reminds us that looking back is just as important as looking ahead. Every lesson learned, every connection strengthened, and every act of kindness becomes part of the foundation we carry into the future.

As the stars rise, so too does our hope for what lies ahead. May we move forward with gratitude, purpose, and a shared commitment to building a brighter, more abundant future for our communities.

From all of us at Kai West Collective, we wish you and your whānau a meaningful Matariki. May this season bring reflection, renewal, and the promise of new beginnings.
Mānawatia a Matariki.