The idea is simple – when fish are caught, we make sure nothing good gets thrown away.
That means sharing perfectly edible fish heads, frames and offcuts that would otherwise go to waste – and getting them to people who truly value them.
With support from LegaSea Hawke’s Bay, The Kai Ika Project, and a growing team of local volunteers and partners, this kaupapa is already making a real difference
Local seafood businesses like Star Fish, Saltwater Seafood, and The Fisherman’s Shop in Napier donate fresh kaimoana that would normally go to waste.
Recreational fishers share leftover fish parts through the Free Fish Heads app.
Volunteers then step in to sort, pack and deliver the kai to families across Hawke’s Bay – completely free of charge.
Since launching, we’ve rescued over 5,700kg of kaimoana, feeding more than 2,200 families. Weekly distributions now run in Flaxmere and Camberley, with fortnightly trips to Māhia and Wairoa.
Maraenui is next.
Despite strong community support, we estimate there’s over 500kg of unmet need each week. To help meet that gap, we’ve introduced Cans for Kai – a circular initiative that turns recycled aluminium cans into funding for the project.
Cans are dropped off by the public, processed by our partners at Phoenix Recycling Group, and the proceeds are channelled straight back into covering distribution costs.
In April alone, over 178,000 cans were collected nationwide, funding nearly all of The Kai Ika Project’s transport and distribution for the month. It’s simple, effective, and it works.
With demand rising and momentum building, we’re actively seeking support to help expand our reach and improve operations.
Right now, we’re fundraising for:
A dedicated trailer to transport fish around the region
More fish bins for hygienic, secure storage
Collection bins to roll out Cans for Kai across Hawke’s Bay
A marquee to support community outreach and educational events
If you or your business would like to support this kaupapa, please contact Chris at mailto:chris@legasea.co.nz. Every bit of support makes a real, tangible difference.
