New Zealand allocates NZD 1.7m to reduce food waste

New Zealand Environment Minister Nicola Grigg has announced NZD 1.7 million in funding through the National Food Waste Reduction Programme to support three initiatives aimed at reducing food waste across the country.

WasteMINZ will receive NZD 800,000 over two years to expand household food waste reduction efforts, building on the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign through multimedia initiatives and council partnerships. The NZ Food Waste Champions 12.3 Trust will be allocated NZD 750,000 over three years to maintain a voluntary national agreement that assists food producers and businesses in measuring and managing waste. Additionally, the Restaurant Association of New Zealand will receive funding to expand its Kai Keepers programme, which helps hospitality businesses reduce waste and divert organic matter from landfills.

Minister Grigg noted that of the 30 million tonnes of food entering New Zealand’s supply chain annually, approximately 1.2 million tonnes are lost or wasted, with one-third occurring in households. The government stated that reducing food waste is a practical method for cutting methane emissions and meeting broader emissions-reduction objectives.