Kirikiriroa’s first social supermarket, Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa, officially opened its doors today, (18 August 2026) at 77 Norton Road. While the facility provides access to affordable groceries, organisers emphasise that the supermarket is designed as a “front door” rather than a destination, aiming to serve as a wider pathway for community support.
Operated by the Kaupapa Māori provider Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora, the site is designed to restore dignity and choice to the shopping experience. Unlike traditional food parcel distribution, whānau are able to select their own kai – paying using a points-based system – to ensure they receive items suited to their specific needs.
“We want whānau to come in for what they need today and leave with access to the people, services, and opportunities that can help strengthen their future,” Jaye Wainui, Tumu Whakarae of Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora said.
“We wanted Hana to open Kirikiriroa’s Cupboard because she is the Māori electorate representative for this area, and also because she represents the generation we are building this future for. This kaupapa is ultimately about our tamariki and rangatahi and creating a world where they have greater security, greater opportunity and greater control over their own futures,” Wainui said.
“Having Hana here to open this space is incredibly significant for us”.
Addressing the economic reality facing the region, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, MP for Hauraki-Waikato, highlighted the disconnect between local production and local affordability. “When it comes to food and when it comes to food security, Hauraki-Waikato produces 14.4 billion dollars worth of money that goes to our economy, yet it’s hard for us to even afford an 11 dollar block of butter that we’d usually make here in our backyard from the likes of Affco, Tegel, Fonterra and we don’t receive any of its benefits,” Maipi-Clarke said.
“The fact that we make 97% of our exports in dairy and meat and export across the world and it is cheaper to buy our own meat overseas in places like Dubai,” she said.
A Holistic Support Pathway
The initiative is built on the philosophy that food security is deeply interconnected with wider social and financial wellbeing. Alongside the supermarket, the site offers access to:
- Budgeting and financial planning support.
- Social work services.
- A dedicated youth hub for rangatahi development and mentoring.
Cultivating Food Sovereignty
Integral to the new facility is a maara kai (community garden), developed in partnership with the Kindness Collective and Mitre 10. The garden serves as both a source of fresh produce and an educational space for tamariki and whānau to learn about growing and preparing food.
Sarah Page, CEO of the Kindness Collective, noted that the garden adds a crucial dimension of “food sovereignty” and connection to the whenua. Mitre 10 MEGA Hamilton supported the project by providing seedlings, supplies, and expert guidance to ensure the garden remains sustainable for the community.
Broad community collaboration
Foodstuffs North Island has expressed its strong commitment to the initiative, marking Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa as the 15th social supermarket they have helped establish. “It’s an absolute pleasure for Foodstuffs North Island to be partnering with Tamariki Tū, Tamariki Ora,” said Julian Benefield.
“This is the 15th Social Supermarket that we’ve partnered with local organisations or iwi and it’s a way that we can help partner with local organisations to deliver healthy foods to local communities.”
Benefield added that the core focus remains on community empowerment, noting, “It’s about giving some dignity and choice to families, households and whānau to choose what they want or what they need for their household.”
The project is a significant collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including:
- Primary Partners: Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora and Foodstuffs North Island.
- Local Support: PAK’nSAVE Mill Street (acting as the local buddy store).
- Community and Philanthropic Backing: Including the WEL Energy Trust, DV Bryant Trust, First Credit Union, Lottery Grants Board, MāoriIT, Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, Gilmours, Foodstuffs, Pathfinder, and the Brian Perry Charitable Trust.
As the supermarket begins operations, it aims to create conditions where families can build resilience, confidence, and long-term security in making choices about their own futures.
For more information or a referral please visit Tamariki Tu Tamariki Ora here: https://kirikiriroascupboard.co.nz
