PM visits Papatoetoe Foodhub, run by Kiwi-Indian Raju Ramakrishna and Waikare Komene

Last week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited the Papatoetoe Foodhub with Labour's candidate in Manurewa, Arena Williams.

The Papatoetoe Foodhub is a social enterprise, which aims to educate locals about food and make it easier to get nourishing kai. It is run by local community champions Raju Ramakrishna and Waikare Komene, and is a community-driven project to nurture and develop new approaches to food.

In addition to the café which runs weekdays from 9am to 3pm, the Food Hub runs a wide range of activities involving garden to table programmes, language week events and cooking classes for both adults and kids.

"We were so pleased to welcome the Prime Minister to our Papatoetoe Foodhub to showcase our fantastic community spirit," noted Ramakrishna, who was born and raised in Chennai and moved to New Zealand when he was 24.

The PM too, visibly pleased, added, "Kai brings us together, places like this are the heart of the community.”

Meanwhile, Williams also said, "Papatoetoe is a special place. Community initiatives like the Papatoetoe Foodhub contribute to the incredible community spirit here."

-TIN Bureau

Major success of the Papatoetoe Foodhub (www.facebook.com/papatoetoefoodhub)

- as detailed in a story by the Auckland Council dated June 19, 2020 (story link is www.ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2020/06/a-year-of-good-and-affordable-kai-in-papatoetoe/)

Implementing a free delivery and pre-order pickup system for affordable meals

Partnerships with farmers in Pukekohe to rescue surplus produce and turn it into soup for school kids in Papatoetoe

Joining with New World Papatoetoe in an ‘upcycle’ food scheme that resulted in one tonne of produce being rescued per week

The availability of indigenous food in Papatoetoe including hangi and umu

Supporting local food businesses including helping them set up and achieve health and safety ratings

Providing work opportunities for Papatoetoe locals

Being awarded $200,000 by the Foundation North South Auckland Community Innovation Fund.