Mai Kai

Mai Kai is built around four key goals:
• Make high-quality, organic, nutrient-dense food accessible to everyone, regardless of income.
• Educate our community on growing and preparing nourishing kai.
• Strengthen local food resilience by supporting small-scale, local, quality producers and growers.
• Reduce the 615 kg of waste each New Zealander generates each year by providing packaging-free groceries.

How does it work?
Every fortnight we curate a Kai Box of organic meat, dairy, produce and staples. A week before we send a digital packing list, so members can choose what suits their whānau and prepare appropriate packaging.
On pack-out day, we set up a market-style stall at a local venue. All members attend a focused ‘power hour’ of connection and contribution. We begin with whakawhanaungatanga, housekeeping, and a “What’s in the Box” overview to introduce the week’s produce and supplies. A cooking demonstration showcases how to use key ingredients, offering inspiration and practical tips. Mai Kai is more than just cheap organic kai, it’s about learning and community connection. Everyone plays a part and contributes to the kaupapa in some way (unloading, serving, packing up, demo’s etc).

Sessions run fortnightly at the following locations and time slots; Napier (Cathedral Lane) 4:30pm Wednesday's, Hastings (Equippers Church, Frimley) 3:15pm and 4:45pm Thursday's and Hastings (St Martins Community Hall, Mayfair) 3:15pm and 4:45pm Friday's.
Our tiered pricing model is designed to support accessibility and sustainability, with options ranging from $50 to $150 (lower-cost options available for whānau on income support, and higher tiers for those able to koha forward).

Mai Kai is a packaging-free initiative, so members bring their own containers and bags to suit their selections.