This project is designed to develop our region’s first Regional Food System Plan. This plan will identify pathways to foster our vision of a sustainable, locally-based, and equitable food system. The Food System Plan is central to the future development of our region – interconnected with housing, transport, land-use, regulations and emissions reduction.
This project is designed to develop our region’s first Regional Food System Plan. This is an opportunity to foster a sustainable, locally-based, and equitable food system.
A number of regional complementary initiatives and approaches including increased supply and demand for local, seasonal, affordable and low carbon food and reducing/preventing food wastage.
Underway
August 2022
September 2024
Te Whatu Ora
021 242 2058
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi. “With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.”
| Current state | Vision | Values | Partners | Mahi |
Stakeholder/partner engagement and Baseline Data Collection; Identify "where do we want to go?"
Pilots and building the Action Plan; mobilise action, test ideas, and answer "How do we get to our vision?"
Identifying learnings from Phase 2 for further Implementation
A regional food system that is sustainable, equitable and locally-led for the wellbeing of our environment and people.
Oranga taiao (healthy environment)
Te Taiao is flourishing with healthy soils, seas, freshwater bodies and climate.
Oranga tangata (healthy people)
Tangata are thriving with resilient livelihoods and access to good kai
Mana motuhaki (locally-led)
The mana of our region is strong with a self-determined and resilient regional food system.
Sustainable/Agroecology is the norm, powered by a skilled growing workforce
Food production supports biodiverse, thriving ecosystems and high animal welfare
We have de-carbonised, zero-waste food system operating on 100% renewable energy
Our food system supports and builds capacity of small/medium scale and locally owned food operations. They are enabled to access land, produce and distribute good food
All communities can easily access good food, including local and home-grown produce
Strong food literacy across our population and institutions
Mana whenua are leaders and decision-makers in our regional kai systems
We meet most of our region's kai needs with locally-produced and locally-processed kai
We invest in, share, and celebrate the kai traditions and stories unique to our region
Our taiao and the tangata who work with te taiao to produce food are the foundations of our food system. When they are not thriving, our food system is at risk.
Kai is a taonga. In Aotearoa New Zealand, our kai system needs to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Many elements of our current food system undermine oranga taiao (healthy envionrment), oranga tangata (healthy people), and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We need to transform our food system to ensure a safe food future generations to come.
Transformation of our food system requires everyone.
Sustainable growing and agroecology are the norm, powered by a skilled, growing workforce
Te Tirohanga Whakamua stands as a visionary compass and a kokiri or driving force to guide how WRLC achieves the goals of our region’s spatial plan – the Future Development Strategy. Te Tirohanga Whakamua was crafted by the iwi partners of the WRLC – and generously gifted to each project encapsulated within the WRLC portfolio. Te Tirohanga Whakamua acts as a pathway to honouring our Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities and also serves as a blueprint for achieving enhanced outcomes across our diverse communities and the environment when envisioning the future development of our region.
Te Tirohanga Whakamua is based around the structure of a whare. Each part of the whare depends on and supports each other, and all are needed for the whare to stay standing. Similarly, the components of Te Tirohanga Whakamua work in harmony, their synergy is vital for the overall coherence of the structure. This holistic (or systems) approach is key in bringing to fruition the aspirations and values that mana whenua hold for the region.
Te tuapapa (foundation) – emphasises the role of mana whenua as Kaitikaki for our region and the responsibility everyone has to protect, replenish and sustain te taiao me te whenua – the environment and the land.
Upon te tuapapa the foundation are the four pou or pillars – these are important concepts of Te ao Maori, representing the elements of self-determination, Maori worldviews and knowledge, equity and unity, and holistic wellbeing.
These are central pillars of what sustains and holds up mana whenua and our communities into the future:
The whare is supported by 6 kokiri or driving principles, these are values statements to guide and provide consistency in the way we plan for and make decisions on the future of our region.
These include:
Overall management of this project is being led by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
The mana whenua of our region:
The Community Advisory Board (CAB)
Regional Kai Network
Research partners and consultants Ahika Consulting and Litmus
Wellington Regional Leadership Committee members and councils
Following the endorsement of Phase 1 of the Regional Food System Plan, Phase two is now aiming to identify and pilot projects and prototypes, designed to create pathways towards the desired future state outlined above, and refining interventions based on mana whenua, community, and stakeholder feedback.
Phase Two will be finalised in 2024, and will look to define the roles of each partner as we develop actions aimed at fostering a sustainable, equitable, and locally-led food system in the region. These actions should be integrated into council work plans and other initiatives happening across the region.
This work will continue to acknolwedge the critical role of the food system in promoting the health and wellbeing of communities, supporting local economies, and mitigating environmental impact.
A decision making tool for councils
This Report provides an outline of the collective aspirations/goals identified by communities who took part in workshops during 2022-2024 to advance the vision of a sustainable, equitable and locally led… Read more here
date_range Published 09 Sept 2025
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