Innovative community-led kai resilience projects across Northland have received a boost from the 2025 Kai Ora Fund.

A total of $182,877 is being distributed to support 48 projects - including 28 in the Far North, 15 in Whangārei, and 5 in Kaipara.

The Kai Ora Fund offers yearly grants of up to $5,000 per project to support local initiatives that enhance food security and strengthen community resilience. Since its launch ten years ago, the fund has backed over 300 projects led by community groups, whānau trusts, social enterprises, and small businesses.

Kai Ora Fund Partner, Sasja Mazurkiewicz, of Healthy Families Far North, says "Kai Ora Fund is a humble grant, but what applicants have told us is that the Kai Ora Fund is the difference between many community initiatives happening and not being realised at all, and that’s really special to be part of. What we’ve learnt is that food security looks different to different communities, and over the years, we’ve seen really creative solutions to addressing some of the kai challenges we face in Northland.

Kai Ora Fund supports those passionate people and groups who have the solutions and just need the resources to get their idea off the ground, so they can keep doing the things they know is best for their community."

Mahitahi Hauora and Kai Ora Fund’s Whānau Engagement & Innovation Partner, Erana Peita, said “Kai Ora Fund continues to attract a diverse range of impactful initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.”

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One of the new projects Kai Ora Fund is supporting this year is the Far North’s Māmā Māra Initiative. This initiative empowers māmā with the skills, resources, and mātauranga (knowledge) to grow their own food, in alignment with maramataka - the traditional Māori lunar planting calendar. For generations Māori have followed the maramataka to guide planting and harvesting, promoting environmental harmony and food security.

Today, many whānau face food insecurity, and rely on expensive, store-bought kai. The Kai Ora Fund grant will help this project towards reviving Māori gardening practices, reconnecting whānau with ancestral knowledge while meeting practical food needs. This initiative focuses on supporting whānau in the first 1,000 days of pēpī’s life and participating māmā will receive starter garden packs - including seeds, seedlings, compost, and growing guides - along with hands-on wānanga covering garden setup, seasonal planting, and maramataka use, as well as ongoing mentoring.

Continuing their progress made through funding success last year, Whangārei’s Taimahi Trust, who run a herbarium, have been successful in their bid for continued support this year. This initiative provides young adults with learning and intellectual disabilities to participate in immersive on-the-job training, enabling them to grow healthy, affordable kai in a dedicated hothouse environment.

In the Kaipara District, the Maungaturoto Residents Association has received funding to create a permaculture-style orchard around the Centennial Hall in their town. Their vision is to build a resilient, community-based food network through the creation of public edible garden spaces. The project also aims to inspire other communities across Te Tai Tokerau to create their own communal kai gardens.

The Kai Ora Fund partnership comprises Mahitahi Hauora PHE, Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Development | Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora, Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand – Te Tai Tokerau, Kāinga Ora | Homes and Communities, Kaipara District Council, Healthy Families Far North, Whangārei District Council, Te Kaunihera o Te Hiku o Te Ika | Far North District Council and Foundation North.

For more information about the Kai Ora Fund, visit www.kaiorafund.com

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