Got a clever idea to help Aucklanders cut down on food waste? Auckland Council’s Love Food Hate Waste grants are open again, and this year there’s extra funding on the table.
From 9 February to 15 March, individuals and organisations can apply for $500–$6,000 to run projects that teach people how to make their kai go further. The maximum grant has increased this year to help cover the rising costs of running community activities.
Projects can be anything that helps households waste less food. From cooking classes and meal‑planning workshops to digital content, community events, or creative ways of sharing food‑saving tips.
Community ideas making a difference
Photo credit: Ecomatters.
Kaipātiki Project Ecohub ran a series of food‑waste‑minimisation workshops in 2024 using funding from the programme. Fundraising and Programme Manager Joanne Kyriazopoulos says people loved learning new ways to save money and reduce waste.
“Our workshops were well attended and people loved walking away with simple, practical tips they could use straight away. They discovered that making the most of food isn’t hard or time‑consuming and it can be tasty! These workshops wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the Love Food Hate Waste grant.”
Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says the fund helps communities share skills they already have.
“The Love Food Hate Waste grants are designed to support practical, community‑led ideas that help Aucklanders enjoy more of the food they buy and grow. I strongly encourage individuals and organisations to apply. Every initiative, big or small, plays a part in preventing edible food from being wasted.”
Photo credit: WasteMINZ.
At a glanceApplications open: 9 February 2026 Applications close: 15 March 2026 Funding available: $500–$6,000 Best suited for: Projects helping households reduce avoidable food waste Not covered: Composting or food‑scrap processing (apply to the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund instead) More info: Details are available now on the Auckland Council website. |
Auckland Council supports Love Food Hate Waste NZ, a nationwide movement encouraging New Zealanders to reduce the amount of edible food thrown away. The 2025 Rabobank–KiwiHarvest Food Waste Survey found that Kiwis waste around $3 billion of food a year, money that could be saved simply by using more of what we buy.
For more about the national programme, visit the Love Food Hate Waste NZ website.