OUR VISION
OUR PURPOSE
NZFN was set up as one simple solution to two major issues; good food ending up in landfill and the rising rate of food insecurity in New Zealand.
Our Founder, Deborah Manning, ONZM, set up NZFN at the beginning of 2020. Drawing on her 10+ years of experience working in the food rescue sector (also Founder of KiwiHarvest), Deborah saw there was a gap in the food rescue sector.
Thousands of tonnes of good food was still ending up in landfill. It was clear that traditional food rescues did not have the infrastructure to handle these volumes on their own. For this reason, NZFN was set up to collect, sort and redistribute bulk surplus food and get it to where it’s needed most.
With primary funding from the Ministry of Social Development, NZFN is distributing, on average, 600 tonnes of food each month. As a result, equivalent to over 1.7 million meal equivalents being delivered to 64 charitable organisations across the country, including those in some of the most remote and hardest to reach regions.
OUR VALUES
- Care: We care about the communities we work in and the people we work with.
- Collaborate: Our network is built on trust and collaboration. We work together with open, clear and proactive communication.
- Commit: We do what we say we will do. We are resilient and adaptable in finding solutions that create the best possible outcomes.
- Create: We encourage growth and innovation. We work together to challenge the status quo.
How NZFN Works
Donors
With one simple email or call to NZFN, businesses can identify and direct any volume of bulk surplus stock or gifted donations.
NZ Food Network
Food Hubs
*Food Hubs include food rescues, food banks, social services, iwi and other charitable organisations.
Recipients
PRIMARY FUNDING PARTNER
SEED FUNDING PARTNERS
NZFN is a coordinated, nationwide effort, spanning the private, social and government sectors, brought to life through the generous support of a number of passionate and dedicated partners.
New Zealand Food Network is proudly working with Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance, Ministry of Social Development and Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective to help build the capacity and capability of foodbanks, food rescue and community food services and prevent further shocks to food security in New Zealand.
Awards and Achievements
NZFN Governance
Suneil Connor is CFO of Service Foods, one of New Zealand’s largest food distribution businesses, where he brings more than 20 years’ experience in finance, supply chain, and operational leadership.
He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) and has been a board member of KiwiHarvest since 2014, currently chairing the Audit & Risk and Remuneration Committees. He recently completed a nine-year term on the board of Auckland Foundation, where he chaired the Audit & Risk Committee, sat on the Investment Advisory Committee, and was a judge for the Tindall Foundation Grassroots Giving Programme.
Suneil is also Treasurer and a Committee Member of the Auckland Branch of the Institute of Directors, leading the judging for the Auckland Emerging Director Award, and serves as Treasurer and Committee Member of the Mission Bay/Kohimarama Residents Association.
Deborah is the Founder of the New Zealand Food Network and a respected leader in New Zealand’s food rescue and food security sector.
After founding KiwiHarvest in 2012, Deborah recognised the need for national infrastructure to complement local food rescue. She established the New Zealand Food Network in 2020 to connect food producers, manufacturers and distributors with food hubs and community organisations across Aotearoa through an efficient national distribution model.
As Founder, Deborah continues to contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation, working with the Board and leadership team to support long term planning, government engagement, sector collaboration and future growth.
Deborah is also a former Trustee of New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 (Kai Commitment). She was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024 for services to the community and the environment and was named Sustainability Leader of the Year in the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
Erica Benton is an experienced senior leader with more than 20 years in executive roles across the FMCG, infrastructure, professional services, and technology sectors. She brings deep capability in business development, transformation, financial leadership, and guiding high performing teams through complex operational environments.
Erica is currently consulting to Indevin Group as the General Manager of Transformation where she has also previously served as Interim Group Chief Financial Officer and acting Chief Technology Officer. Erica also chairs the Audit and Risk Committee on the NZFN Board.
Previously, Erica was Chief Executive Officer of Cyma Limited and has also held roles as an Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer for WSP Limited, and finance and governance leadership roles for Coca-Cola, both in New Zealand and the UK. Erica is a member of the Institute of Directors and a Chartered Accountant.
Erica is passionate about ensuring people are at the heart of everything we do and feels strongly about the difference NZFN can have in people’s lives, addressing food insecurity within Aotearoa, and ensuring people have access to the necessities required to have a healthy life.
Wade is the CEO of Lewis Road Creamery and also a director at Marmont Investments, with over 25 years of commercial and executive experience. He has experience across the FMCG and food manufacturing sectors in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. A former CEO of ABE’S Real Bagels and Pitango, Wade has a proven track record in leading business growth, building high-performing teams, and delivering results in complex, multisite operations. He is also deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, mentoring founders and helping build innovative food brands including Ārepa among others. Wade brings strong skills and experience across strategy, governance, and investment within New Zealand’s commercial food sector to the board at New Zealand Food Network along with a desire to help build food security and resilience across our communities.
Ian is currently Global Head of Agribusiness at KPMG. He brings over three decades of experience in auditing, governance, and strategic leadership in the agri-food sector with vast networks nationally and internationally. Ian is the lead author of the award-winning KPMG Agribusiness Agenda and played a key role in establishing the Mana Kai Initiative, which aims to transform New Zealand’s food system to be more inclusive and resilient. He is widely regarded as a thought leader in sustainable food strategy, and his long-standing commitment to food system equity will be invaluable to NZFN’s mission.
Ray is a supply chain manager and NZFN Board Member. He has over 25 years’ experience in freight, warehousing, manufacturing and IT in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Germany. Most recently, he previously served as a Programme Manager at Coda Group. He has also worked in the FMCG, building products and engineering services sectors.
An avid touch football and rugby coach, Ray has managed programmes to assist families with sports gear as well as support initiatives to encourage Te Reo Māori and Manaakitanga within the business community. He is married to wife Karen and a father of three.
NZFN Management Team
Deborah founded the New Zealand Food Network in 2020 to create a national solution for redistributing bulk donated and surplus food, ensuring quality food could move efficiently to communities across New Zealand while reducing food waste.
Deborah’s work began with a determination to address the twin challenges of food waste and food insecurity in Aotearoa. In 2012, she founded KiwiHarvest, starting with local food rescue activity that has since grown into New Zealand’s largest dedicated food rescue organisation, operating across multiple regions. Together, the two organisations now form a food support system that rescues, redistributes and moves food to where it is needed most.
As Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Deborah leads long term strategic thinking across both organisations. She works with the New Zealand Food Rescue Trust, Boards and Chief Executives to strengthen partnerships with government, iwi, industry and community organisations, identify future opportunities and help shape the future of New Zealand’s food support system.
Deborah is widely recognised for her leadership in food rescue, food security and food waste reduction. She previously served as a Trustee of New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3 (Kai Commitment) and is a frequent speaker on food systems, collaboration and social innovation.
She was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024 and received the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Sustainability Leader Award.
Gavin, our founding CEO, joined the New Zealand Food Network from a varied career spanning military (UK Royal Air Force), travel, aviation, business and logistics sectors. Throughout his career, he has continually worked to better any vulnerable communities he has encountered.
Awarded NZ Community Leader of the Year in the 2025 New Zealand Leadership Awards, Gavin has a passion for making a difference in and for New Zealand’s food insecure communities. “It is much better to GIVE than Receive” is a saying he often quotes.
Away from NZFN, he enjoys live sport action (Up the Wahs and Auckland FC), football, golf and travelling.
Ram leads NZFN’s North Island operations and brings more than 20 years of experience across customer service, engineering, logistics, warehousing, inventory management, procurement, planning, and global supply chain operations.
He began his career in India with Whirlpool Corporation as a Customer Service Manager before joining PepsiCo, where he spent 17 years in a number of operational leadership roles, including Market Equipment Manager. During this time, he developed extensive expertise in supply chain operations, asset management, operational excellence, and leading high-performing teams. Following his move to New Zealand, Ram continued his career with Bluebird Foods, working across engineering and logistics functions before joining NZFN.
Throughout his career, Ram has focused on delivering products safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while building strong teams and driving operational improvements. What inspires him most is working for a cause. He believes the value of any organisation extends beyond operational success to giving back to the community and is proud to contribute to NZFN’s mission of improving food security across Aotearoa.
Outside of work, Ram enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and can often be found enjoying weekend walks.
Nicki leads NZFN’s South Island operations, supporting a network of 15 Food Hubs from the Christchurch Distribution Centre. She brings more than 30 years’ experience across logistics, sales and operations, having held roles with organisations including Ngāi Tahu Seafood, Eggs NZ, Cloudy Bay Seafood and Courier Post.
A proud Southlander from Invercargill, Nicki is passionate about reducing food waste and ensuring communities have access to good, nutritious food. Her collaborative approach has helped establish and strengthen key partnerships across the region, including NZFN’s work with Foodstuffs South Island and Waireka Group, enhancing food distribution and creating efficiencies that benefit Food Hubs across the South Island.
Known for her practical leadership style and strong relationship-building skills, Nicki is driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for communities throughout Aotearoa.
Natalie, an experienced supply chain professional with a background in food and packaging industries, brings expertise in procurement, supplier relationship management, and supply management. Inspired by her mother’s work co-founding a dog shelter in southern China, Natalie is dedicated to community betterment. This personal passion and commitment resonate perfectly with NZFN’s mission of getting the food to where it’s needed most.
Sophie has many years of experience in sales and relationship management across a range of industries. Sophie joins the team with a passion to channel her experience and energies into building relationships that ensure NZFN are top of mind whenever acthere is any food that can be redirected to where it’s needed most.
Martha joins NZFN after more than 15 years working in marketing and communications for public, private and not-for-profit organisations across the tertiary education, homebuilding and museum sectors. While much of her experience was gained in the United States, she is now proud to call Aotearoa New Zealand home and grateful for the opportunity to put her skills to work for the good of NZFN’s mission of getting food to where it’s needed most. She also considers herself a keen foodie and reasonably skilled home cook and baker. On the weekend, you might find her volunteering at one of our hubs, Fair Food in Avondale, or out and about with her beloved labrador retriever, Otto.
NZFN Staff
Abi joins the NZFN team as Corporate Donor Relations Manager with experience in account management and relationship management from her FMCG background. She’s passionate about working with food donors to help reduce waste and get good food to people who need it most. Abi is looking forward to collaborating with others to find practical solutions for our Donors and create positive outcomes for communities across Aotearoa.
Courtney joins the team as Account Manager with a focus on looking after our network of food hubs in the North Island. She has worked across a variety of roles including Account Manager in the online hotel space, Placement Coordinator in the ambulance sector and as a Project Coordinator. Courtney says she loves working with a variety of different people and being able to make a positive difference for others and is also a keen foodie.
Diana joined NZFN as a Logistics coordinator. She is deeply inspired by the companies’ goals & values to help those in need in our communities. These relate to her personal morals, making the job more special and valuable to her.
Diana is extremely passionate about her job and loves what she does as it allows her to work with such a diverse group of people and make a little change in many lives around New Zealand.
Fred works as part of NZFN’s Auckland warehouse team, helping pick and pack orders, load and unload trucks, and prepare work for volunteers. Prior to joining NZFN, he gained experience with both Bluebird Foods and KiwiHarvest, bringing valuable knowledge of food distribution and warehouse operations to the team.
He enjoys knowing that his work contributes to helping people in need and making a positive difference in communities.
Outside of work, Fred enjoys walking his dog, cooking, and settling in for a good movie. Known for his easy-going nature, he enjoys keeping life simple and spending time doing the things he loves.
Geoff brings more than 20 years of valuable truck driving experience to the table and was doing deliveries for NZFN before taking up the opportunity to become a permanent part of the team. He says it’s a privilege to be able to make a small contribution to those in need of assistance in these hard times.
Hayden comes to NZFN after many years in the hospitality industry with experience marketing for Conference and Events. Hayden is excited to apply and refine his skills, as well as learn from the vast experience within the entirety of New Zealand Food Network. In his free time Hayden likes to stay active and can be found walking or running up and around many of Auckland’s mountains or catching up with friends.
Hemanth joined NZFN as Inventory Controller, bringing experience across both the food and electronics industries. He began his career as a Supply Chain Trainee with Mondelez in the Persian Gulf before moving into inventory planning and inventory control roles, including with Ingram Micro. He also holds a master’s degree in supply chain management.
At NZFN, Hemanth plays a key role in keeping inventory flowing smoothly through the network, helping ensure products are accurately managed while supporting collaboration between planning, transport, and warehouse operations.
What Hemanth enjoys most about working at NZFN is knowing that his work helps people and contributes to making a positive difference in someone’s life.
Outside of work, Hemanth enjoys volleyball, following Formula 1, and binge-watching movies.
Holyfield is proud to be part of the team helping get good food to communities across Aotearoa. Before joining NZFN, he worked as a runner for Econo Waste and brought that hands-on operational experience into the warehouse environment.
What Holyfield enjoys most about working at NZFN is knowing that the work he does helps families facing challenges similar to those he experienced growing up. Being part of an organisation that supports people when they need it most gives his work a strong sense of purpose.
Outside of work, Holyfield enjoys spending time with family, playing rugby union, rugby league and tag rugby, and relaxing with video games.
Jana joins NZFN as a Transport Manager. Her background is in Supply Chain, having worked in Brazil for over 18 years with a focus on Procurement and Warehouse. Work at NZFN has been very rewarding and inspiring for her, as she believes helping others makes everything worth it.
As a Class 2 Driver and Warehouse Operator, Jatinder plays an important role in helping move food to where it’s needed most. Before joining NZFN, he worked as a tractor operator in Hastings, bringing practical experience and a strong work ethic to his role.
He enjoys being part of an organisation that helps people and makes a positive difference in communities across Aotearoa.
Outside of work, Jatinder enjoys spending quality time with his family.
As a Warehouse Operator at NZFN, Jigar plays an important role in ensuring food is picked, packed, and prepared for distribution to communities across Aotearoa. He brings a unique blend of academic and practical experience, with qualifications in engineering and supply chain management and a background spanning the automotive, education, and supermarket sectors.
Jigar values being part of an organisation that helps people in need and makes a positive difference in communities.
Outside of work, he enjoys reading, solving reasoning games, and taking long drives to unwind and recharge.
Karina joined NZFN as Office Manager and has since transitioned into the Finance team as Assistant Accountant. Originally from Brazil, she brings a diverse professional background spanning hospitality, construction, banking, electronic security, and television/media, with recent roles focused on administration and finance.
Throughout her career, Karina has developed strong expertise in financial processes, reporting, and organisational support. She enjoys being part of NZFN’s supportive team and values the opportunity to contribute to an organisation making a positive difference for people and communities across Aotearoa.
Outside of work, Karina enjoys spending time with her two daughters, keeping active at the gym, and making the most of New Zealand’s beaches during the summer months.
Prior to commencing with NZ Food Network Kath was working as a heavy machinery operator. She has previously worked at a honey packing factory where she gained experience in warehousing and logistics. With a passion for making a difference to the lives of others, Kath is eager to play a role in putting food on the table for those in need.
Ken, NZFN Lead Hand, brings with him more than 40 years’ experience in warehousing and distribution. Having spent his career working for two family-owned pharmaceutical and cosmetics businesses, he is new to the not-for-profit sector but hopes he can make a difference through his work. He has been happily married for over 30 years, and has two great kids.
With more than a decade of warehousing experience behind him, Mose plays an important role in leading NZFN’s Auckland warehouse operations. Before joining NZFN, he ran Platinum Logistics in Auckland and worked across the safety and hose industries, building strong operational and leadership experience.
As Warehouse Supervisor, Mose oversees the day-to-day running of the warehouse, supporting the team with workload management, inbound and outbound goods, and keeping products moving safely and efficiently through the warehouse.
What Mose enjoys most about working at NZFN is knowing that his work is helping people in need and making a real difference in the community. He finds being part of that impact both meaningful and rewarding.
Outside of work, Mose enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing and enjoying sports, and cooking for those around him.
Before joining NZFN, Ranjodh gained valuable experience in both manufacturing and agriculture, working as a Material Handler at Sistema and managing poultry and agricultural farms. Today, he is part of NZFN’s warehouse team, helping pick orders and load and unload trucks to keep food moving through the network.
He enjoys being part of an organisation that supports people in need and makes a positive difference in communities across Aotearoa.
Outside of work, Ranjodh enjoys spending time with family and getting out on the basketball court.
Steph joins NZFN as the Office Manager, bringing a people-first approach and a knack for keeping things organised behind the scenes. Prior to joining NZFN, she managed a 24-hour commercial gym in West Auckland, where she worked with and supported people from all walks of life.
She enjoys being part of a team committed to making a difference for whānau and communities across Aotearoa and values the opportunity to work alongside so many generous and community-minded people.
Outside of work, Steph is a fitness fanatic who loves any opportunity to get moving, often with her young daughter in tow.