Invitation to celebrate Our Community Kai Story book launch events

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is delighted to share the launch of a new book ‘Our Community Kai Story – Tales of food, people and connection across Queenstown Lakes’ at special events in Queenstown this week and Wānaka next week.

The book was created as a tribute to the local community as a way to celebrate the district’s collective resilience following the effect of the global pandemic. It shares stories to honour where we’ve come from, to give thanks to our communities and to look forward with a sense of renewal and hope.

QLDC Community Partnerships Manager Marie Day is thrilled to be able to showcase the many months of dedicated collaborative work that went into creating the book.

“Everyone is welcome to join us at one of our book launch events to share kai (food), celebrate the efforts of everyone involved, and as a way of recognising all the superstar individuals and organisations who care deeply for our community,” said Ms Day.

“Kai is more than an essential basic need for life, it’s also a vital way we connect with others. We use it to welcome friends and newcomers, to celebrate important events, and to show manaaki (respect, generosity and care).”

“This beautiful book is filled with vibrant stories and local knowledge about how to grow, gather and care for our resources. There were over 25 contributors, making this a true collaboration. It’s also filled with delicious recipes and personal food memories from those that live in our district.”

“It was really fulfilling to work on a project that reflects our diversity and celebrates how passionate people are about sharing food in our place. We are really excited to share this with everyone involved and the wider community.”

QLDC Resilience and Climate Action Manager Bill Nicoll said the development of the book supports Council’s work to improve the resilience of the local food system as a key action in the Queenstown Lakes Climate & Biodiversity Plan.

“We know that our local food system is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and major natural disaster events. That’s why Council is working in partnership with a wide range of organisations and community leaders across the district to develop a food resilience roadmap. This book celebrates the amazing progress being made and helps tell the story of how we can all contribute to a shared vision of a resilient, low-carbon, local food system.”

The launch events will be in Queenstown this Thursday 9 November from 5.00-6.30pm at Frankton Library, Hawthorne Drive, and next Thursday 16 November from 4.00-5.30pm at Wānaka Community Hub, McDougall Street. Anyone interested in attending is asked to register in advance for catering purposes on the QLDC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/QLDCinfo/events/

Our Community Kai Story will be available to purchase on the night for $20 each or at a reduced price of $15 each for multiple copies. They will also be available to purchase from mid-November at Council offices in Queenstown and Wānaka, Paetara Aspiring Central, Wānaka Recreation Centre, Te Atamira (Frankton) and Queenstown, Frankton and Wānaka Libraries.

All proceeds will be donated to KiwiHarvest, a local food rescue organisation dedicated to preventing good food from ending up in waste.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri

To register and for more details on Our Community Kai Story book launch events:

• QUEENSTOWN

  • Thursday 9 November, 5.00-6.30pm at Frankton Library, Hawthorne Drive, Frankton.

  • https://www.facebook.com/events/348002330999267

• WĀNAKA

  • Thursday 16 November, 4.00-5.30pm at Wānaka Community Hub, McDougall Street.

  • https://www.facebook.com/events/706854828157926