Stronger together: Building a united front for food access in West Auckland

In a time when food insecurity is growing, 35 organisations came together at the West Auckland Food Relief Network Hui, hosted by Kai West, to share ideas, challenges, and aspirations. This hui was about finding opportunities to work collaboratively to ensure families can move towards self-sufficiency.

Held at Ranui Baptist Community Care, the hui showcased the power of their community-driven initiatives including workshops on budgeting; pressure canning and bottling of fruit, vegetables and meat; as well as teaching people how to make in season produce last all year round.

Attendees toured the premises where they learned how partnerships with local farmers and community gardens are transforming food access, exchanging scraps for wild meat and fresh produce.

“As co-hosts in this hui, we were able to showcase some of our services and share innovative ideas that we have started to implement within our organisation. This incorporated our core vision this year being - creating sustainable individuals, families and communities. We strongly believe that once an individual is equipped with the knowledge they then feel empowered to make better choices in life and give them the opportunity to regain their mana and turangawaewae (a sense of identity and independence associated with having a particular home base). This reduces the need to rely on foodbanks that are already struggling with the growing demand and building a stronger resilient community.” Elesha Thomas - Manager at Ranui Baptist Community Care.

One of the most resonant themes was the importance of collaboration. As Rebecca Thomson, Coordinator of the Glenavon Community Hub put it, “We are all strands of the community, and when woven together, we can capture people who would otherwise fall through the cracks.” This spirit of unity was echoed throughout the event, where attendees explored practical ways to share resources, data, and expertise.

While the challenges are significant - food supply and funding remain pressing issues - there was a strong sense of shared purpose. As one participant noted, “Sadly, this is a growing industry,” with record-breaking demand for food parcels last year. But solutions are emerging through collective action and innovative approaches.

The right to kai sovereignty was a powerful takeaway. By focusing on proactive engagement, the network aims to reach whānau before they are in crisis, shifting the focus from emergency relief to resilience. Initiatives like food sustainability workshops, cooperative purchasing, and social supermarkets were offered as practical pathways to reducing food insecurity while strengthening community ties.

This hui wasn’t just a meeting; it was a call to action. It reinforced that food security includes nourishing relationships and working towards a future where food parcels are needed less often, while ensuring continued support when whānau need them.

For organisations working in food relief, this network offers invaluable opportunities: collaboration, shared resources, fresh ideas, and the strength that comes from working together. If your organisation wants to be part of the Kai West collective, get in touch with Michele, Kai West Collaborations Broker, to find out how you can be part of this growing network.