30/06/2026
A New Chapter for Koha Kai ...
Introducing Southern Kai
Over the years, many of you have heard us say that Koha Kai was never intended to be the final destination for anyone.
From the beginning, our purpose was to create opportunities, to support people living with disabilities to develop confidence, skills, relationships, and pathways towards meaningful, paid employment. Koha Kai was designed to be a stepping stone; a place where people could belong, learn, grow, and build connections that were intentional and lasting.
However, as many of you know, the journey of Koha Kai has not always followed a straight path.
Over the years, we have adapted, responded, and changed direction when our community needed us most. During COVID-19, when many whānau were unable to access essential necessities, we partnered with organisations including MSD to help provide support where it was needed. Although our training programme was not considered an essential service at the time, we knew our community was, and we found a way to help.
Following COVID-19, we joined forces with the lunches in schools programme, providing healthy kai for tamariki across Southland, extending our reach into Gore and surrounding communities. We continued to evolve, returning our focus towards training and employment pathways, with the goal of creating a sustainable future.
The reality is that community organisations across Aotearoa have faced significant challenges in recent years. Changing priorities, reduced funding, and pressures across many sectors have required difficult decisions. Like many organisations, we experienced change that was challenging, and at times heartbreaking. We acknowledge the impact these changes had on people, and we recognise the emotions, uncertainty, and conversations that came with them.
Through every chapter, one thing has remained constant, our commitment to people, our community, and the importance of manaaki and aroha.
While Koha Kai began with a focus on creating pathways for people, we have come to realise that Koha Kai itself has also reached a point where it needs to evolve.
And so, we pivot again.
As part of this next chapter, Koha Kai has transitioned into new ownership under Southern Kai, with the intention of building upon the foundations, relationships, and values that have been created over the years. This transition is not about walking away from the Koha Kai story, it is about carrying that story forward, while creating a sustainable future that allows us to continue serving our community through kai.
With the growth and development of initiatives including Tīmata, Premade, catering services, and the contracts we proudly hold throughout the Southland region, our future is centred around what has always brought us together... kai.
From the 1st of July, Koha Kai will become Southern Kai.
This rebrand represents a new chapter, one focused on sustainability, growth, and continuing to provide quality food services throughout our region. While our name will change, our values remain the same. The relationships we have built, the memories we have shared, and the communities we have stood alongside will always be at the heart of who we are.
To everyone who has supported us, our whānau, customers, partners, volunteers, past trainees, supporters, and the wider Southland community , thank you.
Thank you for standing beside us through the successes, the challenges, and the moments where we had to find the courage to adapt. Thank you for believing in our purpose and reminding us why this work matters.
We are rebuilding, growing, and moving forward, not forgetting where we have come from, but carrying those lessons, relationships, and experiences with us.
So while you may see a different name on the door, you will still see the same heart, the same commitment, and the same dedication to serving our community through kai.
We invite you to join us in this next chapter as Southern Kai.
If you have questions, memories you would like to share, or words of support, we would love to hear from you. Your voices have been an important part of our journey, and they remain important as we move forward.
Ngā mihi nui,
The Southern Kai Team
