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Indigenous Food Systems

Te Kupenga o Rongomai: Maidstone Sports Hub

Thu, 26 Mar 2026
(6:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

Thinking of growing your own kai (food) at home? Already an experienced gardener, but keen to boost your knowledge about soil health and restoration, Indigenous food systems and regenerative, organic, hua parakore principles?

Join us for a free event with Dr Jessica Hutchings (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa, Gujarati), featuring two short film screenings about her work followed by a kōrero and Q&A session.

About Dr Jessica Hutchings

Dr Jessica Hutchings (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa, Gujarati) is a local grower, researcher, and thought leader in Māori food sovereignty and hua parakore. She has published books on food systems, offers research, consultancy services and trainings, and practices hua parakore on her farm right here in Kaitoke. Read more about her work.

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More Food Week Events

Harvest Festival

Sat, 21 Mar 2026
(10:00 am to 3:00 pm)
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Mangaroa Farms

Welcome to the start of the Upper Hutt Food Week and the Harvest Festival
– A celebration of local food, culture, and community.
Many Food and Related Stalls. Baking and lots of family fun.
Drop off at Harvest Festival for Pumpkins and public voting.

 

📍 Hosted at the Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai 98 Whitemans Valley Road

GROW Movie (Saturday)

Sat, 21 Mar 2026
(5:45 pm to 7:32 pm)
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Monterey Cinema

First Screening. A movie about a giant pumpkin growing competition – maybe there wil be some good tips.

Farm to Table Outdoor Dining Experience

Sun, 22 Mar 2026
(5:30 pm to 7:00 pm)
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Mangaroa Farms

Sit amongst the wildflowers and enjoy a farm-to-table meal carefully prepared by Mangaroa’s in-house chef, Tijana Starling.

Registration Fee: $65

📍98 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt, Wellington

GROW Movie (Sunday)

Sun, 22 Mar 2026
(11:00 am to 12:47 pm)
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Monterey Cinemas

Second Screening. A movie about a giant pumpkin growing competition – maybe there will be some good tips.

Vegetable Fermentation & Sourdough Bread Workshop

Mon, 23 Mar 2026
(5:00 pm to 7:30 pm)
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Mangaroa Farms

Learn about the importance of the gut microbiome and be introduced to making sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir, vinegar and sourdough bread. Make and take home 2 different jars of vegetables, to ferment at home. Enjoy tasting a variety of fermented foods and sourdough bread. Be provided with starters, a detailed handout and recipes.

📍Hosted at Te Wharekai – 298 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt

Preserving Workshop

Tue, 24 Mar 2026
(5:30 pm to 7:30 pm)
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Mangaroa Farms

Step into a hands-on preserving session with local specialist Jess Winters from Valley Gourmet. Jess transforms seasonal, locally grown produce into distinctive condiments that showcase the character and flavour of our region.

📍108 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt

Urban Foraging

Tue, 24 Mar 2026
(5:00 pm to 6:00 pm)
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Trentham Memorial Park

Urban Foraging

with Hannah Dawson.

Free Event

📍Trentham Memorial Park

Open Garden and Yoga: Mindful Eating Practice

Tue, 24 Mar 2026
(5:00 pm to 6:00 pm)
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Tawai Park Community Garden

Yoga and Open Garden Session

Please bring your own mats

📍Tawai Community Garden

Kai Sharing and Tasting with Local Food Banks

Wed, 25 Mar 2026
(11:00 am to 1:00 pm)
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695 Ferguson Drive, Upper Hutt/Salvation Army, Orongomai, Upper Hutt Food Bank

Kai Sharing and Tasting with Local Food Banks

📍695 Ferguson Drive, Upper Hutt (Salvation Army)

Grass to Garden Workshop

Wed, 25 Mar 2026
(4:00 pm to 6:30 pm)
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Mangaroa Farms

Join us for a hands-on permaculture workshop exploring how to turn lawn or pasture into productive garden spaces. We’ll cover the basics of permaculture theory, then put a range of real-world techniques to the test in a fun, practical, and engaging session.

📍98 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt

Level Up Your Compost

Wed, 25 Mar 2026
(6:00 pm to 7:30 pm)
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Tawai Park

Level Up Your Compost

📍101 Tawai Street, Trentham, Upper Hutt 5018

Indigenous Food Systems

Thu, 26 Mar 2026
(6:00 pm to 8:00 pm)
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Te Kupenga o Rongomai: Maidstone Sports Hub

Thinking of growing your own kai (food) at home? Already an experienced gardener, but keen to boost your knowledge about soil health and restoration, Indigenous food systems and regenerative, organic, hua parakore principles? Join us for a free event with Dr Jessica Hutchings.

📍11 Railway Avenue, Maidstone, Upper Hutt 5018

Understanding ARFID

Thu, 26 Mar 2026
(6:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
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UHAG HQ G16, 6 Railway Ave Upper Hutt

Join the team at UHAG for an information session on ARFID and some tested eating practices to support someone with ARFID. You are welcome to stay for the Parent and Carer Meeting.

Cost – Free

Growing Together : A Wild Garden Exploration for Families

Fri, 27 Mar 2026
(4:00 pm to 5:00 pm)
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Mangaroa Farms

Step into a wilder side of Mangaroa Farms and join us for a relaxed family session in our growing spaces. This is time set aside to explore the permaculture orchard and mixed pasture at a gentle pace, with room to notice, touch, and discover.

📍108 Whitemans Valley, Upper Hutt (Orchard & Paddock)

Pumpkin Judging and Baking Competition

Sat, 28 Mar 2026
(1:00 pm to 1:00 pm)
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Greenstone Doors

📍TO BE CONFIRMED

Kai Kart Summer Market

Sat, 28 Mar 2026
(9:00 am to 2:00 pm)
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4 a Better City

Join us for food & fun at the Kai Kart Summer Market Event – part of the Upper Hutt Food Week.

📍Lane Street, Upper Hutt

Hub Social Kids Fun

Sat, 28 Mar 2026
(9:00 am to 3:00 pm)
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The Hub Social Cafe and Op Shop

Bring the Kids for Fun & Games at the Upper Hutt Food Week Hub Social Kids Fun Event.

📍TO BE CONFIRMED

Rimutaka Lions Seed Bank 

Sun, 29 Mar 2026
(1:30 pm to 3:30 pm)
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Upper Hutt Library

Rimutaka Lions Seed Bank Event

📍TBC – 844 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt Central

Herb Garden Open Day

Sat, 28 Mar 2026
(1:30 pm to 4:00 pm)
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Golders Cottage

Hutt Valley Herb Society

Open Garden at Golders Cottage.

📍707 Fergusson Drive, Elderslea, Upper Hutt 5018

What’s On

During Food Week

Upper Hutt

Upper Hutt Food Week features a packed programme of events running across multiple days and locations. Activities are designed to be welcoming, practical, and engaging, with options for all ages and interests.

You can expect:

  • Food markets and pop-up stalls
  • Cooking demonstrations and tastings
  • Foraging walks and wild food talks
  • Open gardens and local food trails
  • Workshops and hands-on sessions
  • Family and children’s activities
  • Community meals and shared feasts
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Local Kai, People & Places

What is Food Week?

A celebration of the people
who grow, gather, hunt,
make, and share our kai.

Why Join Us?

  • Discover wild, local flavours
  • Celebrate food traditions
  • Learn & share skills
  • Enjoy whānau-friendly events

Visiting Upper Hutt’s Food Spots 

Events take place across Upper Hutt at gardens, venues, cafés, schools, and outdoor spaces. Some activities are free, while others may require booking through external organisers.

Browse the full schedule to see what’s happening each day, where to go, and how to take part.