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April 10, 2026
#regional: Kai Ora Fund boosting resilience and food security across Te Tai Tokerau
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On April 10, 2026
A grassroots funding initiative is helping strengthen food security and resilience across Te Tai Tokerau, backing locally-led solutions to feed whānau and grow community capability.
The Kai Ora Fund is supporting a wide range of projects across Northland, from māra kai and food rescue initiatives to education wānanga and sustainable harvesting practices, all aimed at improving access to healthy, locally sourced kai.
The fund provides small grants of up to $5,000 to community groups, marae, and organisations, enabling practical, locally driven responses to rising food insecurity and economic pressure.
Established through a partnership of councils, health providers and government agencies, the initiative has grown steadily since its launch, supporting hundreds of projects and investing in long-term community wellbeing.
The focus is not just on food production, but on strengthening systems around kai – including sharing mātauranga Māori, building local skills, and encouraging self-sufficiency and connection between communities.
Projects funded through the programme often prioritise whānau, hapū and iwi, with an emphasis on equity and supporting those most affected by limited access to affordable, nutritious food.
The initiative also plays a role in building resilience against future challenges such as climate impacts, supply disruptions and economic instability, by helping communities take control of their own food systems.
Demand for the fund continues to grow, reflecting increasing pressure on households and a strong appetite for community-led solutions that restore local food networks and knowledge.
Strong communities grow their own solutions, and kai is where that resilience begins.
With continued support and collaboration across the region, the Kai Ora Fund is helping lay the foundations for a more self-sufficient and connected Te Tai Tokerau.
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