From Surplus to Significance: Te Pae Christchurch Supports Kairos Food Rescue

Every week, Kairos Food Rescue saves approximately four tonnes of quality food from going to landfill, redistributing it through a network of food banks, charities and community groups across Canterbury. For the past two years, Te Pae Christchurch has partnered with Kairos as part of its commitment to reducing food waste and supporting the local community.

Through an established food donation programme, Te Pae Christchurch and Kairos Food Rescue have built a partnership focused on reducing food waste and supporting communities across Canterbury.

That partnership was highlighted earlier this month when Executive Chef Desmond Davies and Executive Sous Chef Nick Keen visited the Kairos warehouse ahead of this year's Glammed Up for a Hand Up fundraising event.

The visit gave the chefs a firsthand look at the rescued ingredients they would be working with, while providing a deeper insight into the scale of Kairos' impact across Canterbury. Inspired by the produce available, the team designed a three-course menu celebrating the potential of ingredients that may otherwise have gone to waste.

On the night, Te Pae Christchurch chefs joined talented culinary students and staff from Ara Institute of Canterbury to transform rescued ingredients into an unforgettable dining experience for more than 200 guests.

The sold-out event raised more than $60,000 for Kairos Food Rescue, helping the organisation continue its vital work rescuing surplus food and supporting communities across the region.

While Glammed Up for a Hand Up is an important annual fundraiser, it represents just one part of a broader partnership between the two organisations. Throughout the year, whenever surplus food is available from events at Te Pae Christchurch, the Kairos team collects it for redistribution, helping ensure good food is put to good use rather than going to landfill.

Te Pae Christchurch congratulates the Kairos team, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the evening such a success.

Together, organisations across Canterbury are demonstrating how collaboration can reduce food waste, strengthen communities and create meaningful environmental and social outcomes for the region.