Kai Rotorua is a non-profit volunteer organisation made up of over 130 individuals and organisations. We began from an amazing group of 30 locals with a passion for local, nourishing, sustainably produced food. Everybody eats so we can bring out the passion for good, nutritious, home-grown food in anyone we come across. Kai Rotorua also delivers a Māori cultural education through the cultivation of the land.
What we have done
Networking events, community educational workshops
66 free backyard gardens for whanau and kindergartens
Gardening education in schools
Commercial food production (kumara, rīwai, Māori potato)
Community Fruit Rotorua established
Farmers market established
Supporting horticulture to be included in school curriculums
Growing our knowledge of kumara, rīwai and Māori potato production
Conducting trials on growing methods that fit with the Rotorua Lakes catchment restrictions
Selling our produce locally, and supporting other food producers with their sales
Hosting networking events and community workshops
Investigating and trialling income-generating methods to self-fund our community projects and work in schools