The Community Kitchen is the heart of BGI— a warm, lively space that feeds our rangatahi, whānau, and wider community. To us, food is a tool for practising manaakitanga (hospitality), kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the environment), and tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).

More than just a place to make kai, it’s where connection and resilience are fostered through food. In the kitchen, we cook meals for our guests, collaborators, and young people, and teach how to prepare creative, affordable, and delicious kai. But it’s not just about teaching — it’s about sharing. Locals come together to swap stories, recipes, and traditions, learning about each other’s cultures through the food they grew up with.

We also explore the bigger picture of our food system — reducing waste, increasing urban food security, and caring for Papatūānuku. Much of our kai comes from Kaibosh, whose important mahi rescues and redistributes surplus food. We are sure to share any extras with our neighbours in need.

To learn more about things happening in the kitchen, check out our programmes here, or follow us on Instagram.