Dunedin Social Exchange Café
We’re making strong progress on Te Kai Mākona. Using the Food Ladders approach, our Dunedin Centre launched the Whakawhiti Exchange Social Café.
The café focuses on:
- Crisis support with a hot meal for those who might otherwise go without.
- Skill building through cooking and barista learning.
- Community connection in a safe, warm, welcoming space.
The café was created in response to more single men with unstable housing accessing our services.
Dunedin Community Services Manager Logan Bathurst says:
“We wanted to create a safe and welcoming environment for people to come and be with others. Everyone has something of value that they can choose to exchange with others. We’ve now settled into a bit of rhythm serving coffee and hot drinks from 10am and providing a hot lunch at no cost. People became regulars quickly and are often just happy to sit and chat. We are providing opportunities for people to come and learn new skills as cooks and baristas while serving a community need. It’s amazing seeing people grow in confidence in such a short amount of time when they are given an opportunity and responsibility with appropriate support.”
The impact has been powerful. As people gained confidence and built relationships, Dunedin saw a 17% decrease in demand for food support, demonstrating meaningful progress toward reducing reliance on foodbanks.
Whānau Stories: Community Kindness in Action
Bras & Broccoli – Motueka
A simple assessment appointment turned into a beautiful moment of community. After a woman shared the challenges she faced following a mastectomy, other women in the Drop-In space stepped forward—offering sewing skills, advice, and friendship. What began as a chat over coffee became a plan to redesign bras that were comfortable and dignified. Along the way, new friendships formed, garden visits were planned, and veggie swaps organised. A perfect example of how kai and connection create community.
A New Beginning – Glenfield
When John arrived seeking food assistance, he was struggling with methamphetamine addiction. With compassion and support, he was encouraged to enter detox and rehabilitation. Our team walked alongside him as he enrolled in detox and The Bridge programme. Months later, he returned to share his joy: he had become drug-free, reconnected with his whānau, and embraced a new beginning. His story is a reminder of the life-changing ripple effect that starts with a simple request for help.
