Food For Free &
Pātaka Kai in Taranaki

There are a number of free food sources around Taranaki. If you need food please get in touch with one of the great community groups below and see the list of koha and free food in Taranaki and a list of pātaka kai.

Contact them too if, on the other hand, you have excess food through your business, or home-grown produce or are keen to support these inspiring organisations through donations or volunteering.

Free food opportunities

Find below a list of KOHA & FREE Food in New Plymouth/Waitara and a list of pātaka kai around Taranaki.

Free food projects & options include:

  • On the House - distributing quality surplus food weekly in New Plymouth to those in need.

  • Salvation Army - providing a food Bank and support services in New Plymouth & Hāwera

  • Taranaki Food Banks based in New Plymouth, Waitara, Stratford, Inglewood, Ōpunake, Eltham and Hāwera.

Local Community & Accessible Gardens, Orchards and projects:

Besides the organisations listed above, these are also great to share, swap and connect with members in the community who are growing food at home:

  • Crop Swap Aotearoa - Brings together backyard gardeners, home bakers, and food foragers for regular swapping and sharing of high-quality local food.

  • Seed Savers Taranaki - A local community-wide group that shares, swaps and has fun saving and growing NZ open-pollinated seeds, local to Taranaki and beyond.

List of KOHA & FREE Food in New Plymouth/Waitara

Monday
On The House Free Store – St James Community Hall – 24 Lawry Street, Moturoa. Free food. No judgement. No barriers. Bring your reusable bags. 5pm to 6pm.

Tuesday
Community Breakfast – The Good Cafe - The Vicarage – 37 Vivian Street, New Plymouth Central. Koha requested. 7.30am to 10am.
Community Dinner – St Josephs Hall Supper Room – 106 Powderham Street, New Plymouth Central. Koha requested. 5.30pm to 7pm.

Wednesday (off week of NZ Super payment)
On The House Free Store (Over 65’s only) – Methodist Church Hall – 66 Liardet Street, New Plymouth Central. 1.30pm to 2.30pm

Thursday
On The House Free Store – Holy Trinity Community Hall – 10 Henui Street, Strandon. Free food. No judgement. No barriers. Bring your reusable bags. 5pm to 6pm.

Sunday
Community Dinner – City Life Church – 24 Egmont Street, New Plymouth Central. Koha requested. 6pm to 8pm.

Monday to Friday, different locations and hours
Waimanako Foodtruck – St Mary’s Church, 37 Vivian St, New Plymouth or Marfell School, usually 10am on weekdays. Visit their Facebook page to see the weekly plan!

Monday, Wednesday, Friday
New Plymouth Community Foodbank - 40 Vivian Street, New Plymouth Central. Ph 06 7582757 to make an appointment. Food parcels. 12.30pm to 2pm.
Waitara Foodbank – Pātaka Kai – 5 West Quay, Waitara. Apply online. Food parcels. 9am to 3pm.

Tuesday, Thursday
Salvation Army Foodbank – 118 Powderham Street, New Plymouth Central. Ph 06 758 9338 to make an appointment. Food parcels. 10am to midday.

Other locations of Foodbanks in Taranaki

Eltham/Kaponga (82 Bridge St.): Wednesday 10am-2pm

Hāwera (Albion St, opposite skate park): Monday 10am - 12pm

Hāwera Salvation Army (19 Regent St): Friday 10am - 12pm

Stratford, On The House (Salvation Army Church Hall): Fortnightly on Wednesdays, 5:00pm -6:00pm (next one on 28 Jan)

Stratford Salvation Army (79 Juliet St): Thursday 10:30am - 12:30pm

Inglewood (23 Rimu St - Forrestal Lodge): Friday 9:30am - 10:30am

Inglewood Community Food Bank (6 Mamaku St): Tuesday 1pm - 3pm, Thursday 9am - 11pm, Friday 10am - 1pm

Pātaka Kai in Taranaki

Pātaka Kai (“storehouse” or “pantry” in te reo Māori) is a public space where people can share food for others to take for free.

List updated in January 2026. — If you know of other stockists/retailers/suppliers/services or all round fantastic sustainable sources please let us know so that we can include them here.

community gardens in taranaki, map