Aucklanders are helping lead a nationwide effort to stop leftovers being forgotten, with more than 3,822 plates of leftovers logged across New Zealand so far as part of the Love Food Hate Waste NZ Leftover Legends Challenge.

Local households have logged 176 plates of leftovers, placing Auckland second on the national leaderboard as Kiwis across the country take part in the challenge to remember and eat their leftovers instead of letting them go to waste.

The campaign encourages households to simply eat their leftovers and log the plate online, celebrating the small everyday action that can help prevent perfectly good food from ending up in the bin.

Love Food Hate Waste NZ Marketing Manager Juno Scott-Kelly says the number of plates already logged shows how many households are getting behind the simple habit.

“Seeing more than 3,800 plates of leftovers logged so far is fantastic. It shows just how many people are remembering their leftovers and making sure good food doesn’t go to waste,” says Scott-Kelly.

“Often food isn’t wasted because people don’t care – it’s simply because leftovers get forgotten in the fridge.”

While Auckland is currently sitting second on the leaderboard, Christchurch is leading the way with 243 plates logged, sparking a friendly North vs South Island rivalry.

Scott-Kelly says Auckland’s strong participation shows locals are keen to make the most of their food.

“Auckland has jumped straight into the challenge, and it’s great to see so many households remembering their leftovers. Now we’d love to see even more Aucklanders logging their plates and helping the North Island climb the leaderboard.”

Eating leftovers is one of the easiest ways households can reduce food waste and save money at the same time.

With the challenge still underway, Aucklanders still have plenty of time to help their city – and the North Island – catch up with Christchurch.

Kiwis can join the challenge by logging their plates of leftovers online and helping their region climb the leaderboard.

www.lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz/leftoverlegends/

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