Tons of fish products are being saved from waste through Kai Ika, an initiative spearheaded by local South Auckland community kaitiaki, Papatūānuku Kokiri Marae and Legasea. These initiatives are examples of partnerships that show what sustainable systems change can look like.
Legasea , a nonprofit organisation dedicated to restoring the abundance, biodiversity and health of New Zealand’s marine environment, and Papatūānuku Kokiri Marae, a Māngere community marae who has been servicing the needs of local, national and international communities since its inception, have partnered together to help save fish products from being wasted to the people’s front door.
Every Wednesday and Friday, rows of Auckland residents line up to receive bags full of fish heads and frames – for free.
Lionel Hotene of Papatūānuku Kokiri Marae says it is one of many kaupapa the marae does to serve the community and it’s changing the perception of what waste is.
“In these trying times when we live in a world of scarcity, fish can mean hope, and I think we are giving whanau a little bit of love and hope when we give them fish.”
Kaiaurungi of The Cause Collective, Anaru Ah Kew says, the redistribution of fish that is being saved from waste and utilised for healthy kai to support communities is a step in the right direction in how small seeds grown can flourish into a movement that expands to support communities.
“Two tonnes of fish per week are being given out at Centre Park in Māngere; this used to be 17 kilos and has now turned into a large-scale community programme that means around 400 whanau will have healthy kai in their homes immediately.
“There are tonnes of wasted food, and we do no favours to anyone when we waste kai. Kaupapa like this and the others that Papautanuku Kokiri Marae lead, are challenging current systems to pave direct pathways to support.
“We give thanks to the marae and Legasea who are partnering in ways that are showing real sustainable change and who have the community’s wellbeing at the centre of what they do.”
The Kai Ika drive is held at Centre Park in Māngere every Wednesday and Friday from 10am.