‘E Kai’ Soup Kitchen Opens in Porirua to Nourish Community with Warmth and Whanaungatanga

Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, in partnership with WELLfed and Porirua City Council, is proud to announce the official opening of E Kai, a community-led soup kitchen created to provide warm meals, connection, and manaakitanga to those in need across Porirua.

The opening ceremony took place on Monday, 26 May at 5pm, with community members, partners, and leaders coming together to celebrate the shared vision of nourishing both body and spirit through this new initiative. 

Located at Hei Oranga Ake, E Kai is more than just a soup kitchen — it’s about creating a warm, welcoming space where everyone has a seat at the table. Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, the iwi authority for Ngāti Toa Rangatira, has partnered with WELLfed and Porirua City Council to bring this vision to life — tackling food insecurity while strengthening connections within the community.

Delivered from Hei Oranga Ake - a hub already offering essential community health services - E Kai reflects our Mauriora model of care, where any door is the right door. Those who come in for kai are welcomed into a space of manaakitanga and have access to holistic, culturally grounded support.

“E Kai is a kaupapa grounded in manaakitanga — about feeding the puku and the wairua. It’s about showing up for our community in a meaningful way,” says Helmut Modlik Chief Executive, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira.

WELLfed, a trusted Porirua charity known for empowering whānau through kai and creating spaces where people feel connected and supported, brings proven experience in food preparation and volunteer coordination to this partnership. Porirua City Council has provided key support and resources, recognising the vital role this initiative plays in building a resilient and compassionate city.

WELLfed co-founder and Chief Executive Kim Murray says, “This kaupapa goes beyond food - it’s about connection, care, and showing respect for everyone in our community. Volunteers from all walks of life are rolling up their sleeves to prepare hearty soups made with aroha and shared with manaakitanga”.

E Kai will operate every Monday from 5pm-7pm with meals prepared and served by volunteers and TOA- Te Roopu Awhina staff. Everyone is welcome, no questions asked.