Our story – Kaiika

Ā mātou whakapapa

Our story

The project utilises fish heads, frames and offal which were previously going to waste. Since first established in September 2016 over 600,000 kg of previously discarded fish parts have been collected from various sources and redistributed to needy families and community groups all over Auckland.

Due to popularity, The Kai Ika Project has expanded to include a satellite operation in Wellington and the Hawkes Bay.

For many these fish parts are prized for their sweet flesh. In te reo, the head of the fish is called rangatira kai or ‘chiefs food’ and is considered a real delicacy.

Thank you to the following organisations for stepping up and recognising fish heads and frames are not a ‘waste’ product:

The Kai Ika team collect and then distributes the heads and frames to an appreciative local community. The offal is used as fertiliser in the marae gardens where kumara is also grown for distribution.

The success of our pilot project is reflected in the enthusiasm of our community and the growing demand that now outstrips supply. In Auckland, distribution is led by Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae alongside a network of community partners, including Visionwest, Grace Foundation, Everybody Eats, Maranga Fanau, and Hoani Waititi Marae.

In Wellington, we are proud to have partnered with the Wesley Community Centre and others to distribute kaimoana to whanau in Porirua, Strathmore and Naenae.

On average, often only about 35% of the fish is consumed as skinned and boned fillets – like what we are conditioned to expect from almost all Supermarket offerings. The remaining 65% of the fish, ie the heads, frames and offal are often discarded. Currently, this prized rangatira kai is entering various waste streams or is being dumped. It is clear that our natural resources are not being treated with enough respect.