Stronger Together: Reflecting and Evolving as a Food Relief Network in West Auckland

This year, the West Auckland Food Relief Network continued to evolve, holding four meetings that brought together organisations working across food relief, community development, and wellbeing. These hui provided opportunities to reflect on the network’s progress, celebrate achievements, and explore ways to strengthen collaboration moving forward.

Throughout the year, the network has been building on its initial goals and actions — sharing knowledge, connecting organisations, and exploring collective solutions to the challenges of food insecurity in West Auckland. The meetings focused on reflecting on the year together, identifying opportunities to build resilience, and supporting the growth of sustainable services.

At each meeting, participants had the opportunity to visit a different service provider, learning from one another through shared experiences, challenges, and ideas for improvement. The network also welcomed different speakers and explored frameworks to support services in more holistic ways, while strengthening relationships between organisations.

“As co-hosts in these hui, we were able to share innovative ideas and reflect on our progress as a network,” said Elesha Thomas, Manager at Rānui Baptist Community Care. “This year has been about creating sustainable individuals, families, and communities. Equipping people with knowledge empowers them to make better choices, regain their mana and turangawaewae, and reduces reliance on foodbanks under increasing pressure.”

Over the year, the network also landed on a name that reflects its purpose and vision: Rōpū Awhina Kai o Te Uru, signalling unity, support, and shared commitment to food access across West Auckland. We also had the opportunity to co-create and trial the first three Full Circle Pantry train-the-trainer workshops. Through these workshops, participants learned how to run their own community sessions, using shared equipment and resources to deliver training on food preservation, waste minimisation, nutrition, and culturally-informed food parcel guidelines. These workshop series will be back in 2026.

Collaboration remained a central theme. “We are all strands of the community, and when woven together, we can capture people who would otherwise fall through the cracks,” explained Rebecca Thomson, Coordinator of the Glenavon Community Hub.Conversation held at the network meetings reinforced that food security is about more than parcels — it’s about nourishing relationships, sharing knowledge, and building capacity. As the network continues to evolve, its members are committed to learning together, supporting each other, and creating a resilient food system for West Auckland.

For organisations working in food relief, being part of the Kai West collective / Rōpū Awhina Kai o Te Uru offers connection, shared learning, and opportunities to collaborate on solutions that strengthen communities. To join, reach out to Michele, Kai West Collaborations Broker, and become part of a network committed to evolving and growing together.