Cory Hope 23/01/2025 Cory Hope 23/01/2025

Hauora Kai – From Small Beginnings to Over 70,000 Packs a Year

Written By Ruth Nichol

Our Journey

It all started in May 2014 as a six-month pilot aimed at making it easier for whānau in Porirua East to access fresh fruit and vegetables. Fast forward ten years, Hauora Kai, now known as the Wellington Region Fruit & Vege Co-op, has grown into a region-wide initiative that delivers affordable hauora kai (healthy food) to more than 1500 whānau every week.

The Early Days

In the beginning, our operation was humble. Two dedicated individuals would arrive at Market Gardeners (MG) in Granada North at 5:30 am every Tuesday to select fresh produce for 40 households. They then transported the produce to Cannons Creek, where volunteers packed the items into bags for pickup at a few local spots.

Makerita Makapelu, our team manager at Wesley’s Cannons Creek, recalls those early mornings as cold and dark but filled with purpose and community spirit.

Expansion and Growth

The success of our initial pilot sparked interest from other communities. By February 2015, the Wellington Region Fruit and Vege Co-op (Hauora Kai) officially launched with six packing hubs across Porirua East, Titahi Bay, Naenae, Upper Hutt, Waiwhetu, and Wainuiomata.

To meet the increasing demand, we appointed a Co-op coordinator and partnered with ME Transport to deliver produce to our packing hubs.

Today, our Co-op is a large-scale operation involving a fleet of trucks, vans, trailers, and cars, supported by over 100 volunteers across 12 packing hubs in Wellington, the Hutt, Kapiti Coast, and the Wairarapa.

Our Mission and Partnership

From the start, Hauora Kai has been a partnership between Wesley Community Action and Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora (formerly Wellington Regional Public Health). Our goal was to address the lack of affordable fresh produce in Porirua East. Research by Emmeline Taptiklis at RPH highlighted how local whānau relied on fast food and convenience stores due to the unavailability of fresh food.

For Wesley, it was a matter of social justice. Makerita Makapelu pointed out that many residents in Porirua East still face challenges accessing local supermarkets.

A Decade of Impact

In 2013, representatives from both organizations visited the Christchurch Healthy Eating Co-op (now Food Together) to gather insights. Armed with this knowledge, we launched our pilot in May 2014, receiving an overwhelming response from the community.

Ten years later, our Co-op continues to thrive. We have introduced levies to support operations, increased the cost of packs to $15, and expanded our offerings to include eggs and frozen meat products.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we're proud of our achievements and remain committed to better serving our communities. We're exploring more kai options, enabling members to select their own produce, and incorporating more locally produced kai into our Co-ops.

For more information and to join us, visit [Hauora Kai] https://www.hauorakai.nz

Join us in our journey to bring healthy, affordable food to all whānau in our community!

Cory Hope 29/05/2019 Cory Hope 29/05/2019

Fresh From Wairarapa: Meet Our New Apple and Pear Supplier, Molewood Orchard

It all begins with an idea.

By Adrienne Newman - 24 March 2025

Exciting news for our Naenae Fruit and Vege Co-op members! We’re welcoming a new supplier for our apples and pears from March until June—Molewood Orchard, a family-run gem in the heart of the Wairarapa. This partnership means fresher, tastier fruit for you, straight from one of the region’s most dedicated growers.

We’re not the only ones benefiting from this fantastic local supplier—the Wairarapa Fruit and Vege Co-op also sources from Molewood Orchard, ensuring even more communities get access to fresh, affordable, high-quality apples and pears.

The Story of Molewood Orchard

Nestled in the rolling landscapes of Wairarapa, Molewood Orchard is more than just a place where apples and pears grow—it’s a labour of love, spanning generations. The orchard has been producing top-quality fruit for years, known for its commitment to sustainable growing practices and exceptional flavour.

Owned and operated by passionate growers who understand the land and the seasons like the back of their hand, Molewood Orchard focuses on producing fruit that’s both delicious and environmentally responsible. They take pride in traditional orchardist skills while embracing modern techniques that ensure healthy trees and abundant harvests.

What This Means for Our Co-op

With Molewood Orchard on board, we can now bring you apples and pears that are even fresher, crisper, and full of natural goodness. Because the orchard is relatively close to our communities, it means fewer food miles, supporting local growers, and keeping our produce as fresh as possible.

Each bite of these apples and pears carries the care and expertise of a grower who loves what they do. Whether you’re packing an apple in a school lunch, baking a classic pear crumble, or simply enjoying fruit at its freshest, you can feel good knowing it comes from a supplier who values quality as much as we do.

Supporting Local, Eating Better

By choosing to source from Molewood Orchard, we’re strengthening our connection to local food systems, helping small growers thrive, and ensuring our communities get the best produce possible. It’s a win-win for everyone—fresher fruit for you and support for a fantastic Wairarapa orchard.

Join the Co-op – Fresh Fruit and Vege Every Week!

Want to enjoy fresh, affordable, locally sourced fruit and vegetables every week? Join our co-op! It’s easy to sign up, and you’ll be part of a community that values fresh food and supports local growers.

👉 How to join: Just click on the Join Now tab
💰 Affordable weekly packs for you and your whānau!