KiwiHarvest is a New Zealand food rescue organisation that collects surplus good food before it goes to waste and redistributes it to charitable organisations supporting people in need. It describes its mission as tackling two connected problems at once: food ending up in landfill and food insecurity in New Zealand communities. Since launching, KiwiHarvest reports having rescued over 21 million kilograms of food (more than 47 million meal equivalents at 450g per meal) and currently supports 220 recipient charities nationwide, rescuing around 300,000kg of surplus food each month.
The organisation operates from five branches across New Zealand, including Auckland (with a warehouse at Highbrook), as well as Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill. It collects surplus food from supermarkets, fruit and vegetable markets, hotels, wholesalers, farmers, stadiums, corporate events, catering companies, cafes, restaurants and other food businesses.
### Volunteer and corporate group days
KiwiHarvest relies heavily on volunteers for warehouse packing, sorting and food rescue van assistance. Individual volunteers can help pack food Tuesday to Friday from 9:30am-12:30pm. For organised groups, its Highbrook branch in Auckland runs dedicated corporate warehouse sessions catering for groups of up to 8 people, on the same Tuesday-Friday, 9:30am-12:30pm shifts. Warehouse work is physical, involving moving, packing and stacking food, with a stated requirement to be able to lift 15kg boxes; participants need comfortable clothing and covered shoes, and safety gear is supplied. Corporate bookings are arranged directly via the organisation's volunteer email, with early booking recommended given demand from businesses offering volunteer days to staff.
### MICE suitability
As an established, high-impact food-rescue charity with a structured, ready-to-book corporate volunteering programme in Auckland, KiwiHarvest is a genuine option for conference or incentive-programme corporate social-responsibility (CSR) days, giving delegate groups of up to eight a hands-on, physically active shift with a clear food-waste and food-security impact. Groups larger than eight would need to check with KiwiHarvest directly about running multiple concurrent shifts or alternative arrangements.
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