For over 14 years, the Foodbank Christmas Appeal has been bringing our community together to support those in need.
Driven by the amazing team at the Bay of Plenty Times and The Hits radio, this campaign has raised over $1.3 million in cash and nearly $600,000 in groceries. That’s huge! The donations represent anywhere from 30 – 60% of our annual donations.
But the need is still great, and we’re counting on you to help us make this year’s appeal the best one yet.
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Please complete the form and we will post a physical form out to you.
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We are happy to arrange for someone from the foodbank to come and talk to your teams. Please complete the form and we will be in touch.
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Ngā kai ki nga tangata o Tauranga moana Helping people & whanau in need in Tauranga
We provide kai (food) and grocery support to more than 25,000 Tauranga locals each year.
That everyone in our community has access to sufficient, nutritious kai.
We stop tummies rumbling.
But we also advocate, educate, and collaborate with others in the wider community support network.
Long term change takes teamwork – and we’re here for the long haul.
We have a small but mighty team, backed by an awesome network of community support.
General Manager
Our General Manager, Nicki Goodwin, leads from the front with empathy, humour, teamwork, and practical know-how. She has strong relationships across the food support network in Tauranga and navigates the tricky issues facing Foodbank and our community with spirit and skill.
Being part of the Foodbank team is a privilege that I am very proud of. It’s all about the people – the volunteers, staff, donors, recipients, and those from other social and community organisations. That’s what fills my bucket.
Nicki, General Manager
Warehouse Manager
Nicki is supported by our Warehouse Manager, Jordy Gastmeier. Jordy has the huge task of not only managing the warehouse space and the volunteers’ daily tasks, but also the food inventory, ordering and storage rotation.
Jordy is passionate about creating food security for the Western Bay of Plenty and represents Foodbank in local and national groups, as well as using her green thumb growing vegetables at the Omanu Community Gardens
She is often seen with her wingman Xina, warrior princess, the much-loved Jack Russell.
Volunteer Manager
Jess is our Food Support and Volunteer Manager, coordinating our wonderful army of helpers and providing operational support. She drives much of our data capture, communications, and rostering.
Jess was born and raised here in Tauranga Moana and loves supporting her local community.
When she’s not at work you can find her at the beach, on a bush walk or skating along the waterfront!
Chief Wellness Officer
Xena, our savvy Chief Wellness Officer, is a pawsitive force for keeping the troops motivated.
While often found snoozing under one of the desks in the office, don’t let this laid back appearance fool you.
She excels in stakeholder relationships, building strong ties with volunteers in the fruit and veggie area who treat her with the occasional offcut. She is particularly fond of avocado and capsicum.
The team is supported by our formidable army of approximately 80 weekly volunteers, who are the engine room of our social giving machine.
We are so thankful for the time, heart, and humour that these wonderful people provide each week. The daily teams forge great team relationships which transcends their work at Foodbank.
We have a number of volunteers with different cognitive and physical challenges, and we take great pride in seeing these volunteers achieve goals.
The Foodbank is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.
Chair
Simon started as a Foodbank volunteer during Covid lockdown in April 2020, working as a driver to help deliver parcels and collect supplies. He joined the Board later that year.
Simon was educated in Scotland, attended St Andrews University and completed a postgraduate teaching certificate at London University.
After 13 years teaching chemistry at an international school in Cyprus, Simon moved to New Zealand with his wife and three young children in 1993.
Simon found his talent for explaining complex theory was ideally suited for insurance – so he reinvented himself as a successful insurance salesperson, specialising in business insurance.
After selling his share of his business in 2012, Simon joined his wife running a tourism company specialising in educational and student tours. Now semi-retired, Simon has time to continue volunteering at the Foodbank, as well as his Rotary club, where he is the current secretary.
Simon is the past president and secretary of Tauranga Sunrise Rotary.
Treasurer
Growing up in nearby Kawerau, Maria began her career straight out of school as an accounting cadet with the Tasman Pulp and Paper Company while at the same time studying extramurally with Massey University.
She and her husband decided they’d like to raise their four children in Tauranga – landing here in 1995. In 1999 Maria returned to full time work with local accounting firm, where she has been ever since, becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant along the way.
When not at work, Maria can be found in her garden, annoying her grown up children or her most recently discovered passion of getting out and about on one of Tauranga many cycleways. She also volunteers as the Tauranga Special Olympics Tenpin Co-ordinator – organising 50 local athletes who enjoy their regular game of tenpin bowling.
Secretary
Sarah was born and raised in Tauranga. Having such strong ties to the area, Sarah was eager to give back to the community and jumped at the opportunity to join the board in August 2022.
Sarah attended Otūmoetai College and later obtained her law degree through the University of Waikato. She enjoys being able to contribute both her legal and local knowledge to the Foodbank’s operations.
Having fond memories of the old Dive Crescent site, upon joining the board Sarah was amazed by how greatly the Foodbank had evolved over the years and feels honoured to be a part of the team.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys gardening and heading down to the beach with her husband and pug.
Trustee
Lachlan joined the Tauranga Foodbank in 2022 as a Board member.
He grew up in Tauranga and after leaving Tauranga Boys’ studied at the University of Otago and the University of Queensland, completing a Commerce degree and a Post Grad degree in Economics.
After leaving University he started a career in the Shipping and Logistics industry which led to him living abroad in India, England and Singapore.
Lachlan moved back to New Zealand in 2015 and after a few years in Auckland made the great decision to come back to the Bay with his wife and two children. He loves being on the sidelines watching his kids play sport and can be found struggling his way around the golf course from time to time.
Trustee
Jarra Borman has more than 25 years of experience helping businesses engage and connect with their customers through digital media.
He has a strong desire to see transformative change in New Zealand through digital strategy, ecommerce and solution architecture.
Jarra grew up in Tauranga, and is enjoying bringing up his three boys in this beautiful place.
Trustee
With a diverse background spanning community, local and central government, and health sectors, Meagan is dedicated to fostering social justice and advancing community development.
Her professional journey has instilled a strong belief in the power of collaborative efforts with communities to tackle their pressing challenges.
Beyond professional endeavours, Meagan enjoys gardening, pilates, and bobbin lace making. Additionally, Meagan serves on the FamilyLink board.
Trustee
Sophia joined the Tauranga Food Bank in 2023 as a Board member.
Sophia is a Registered Social Worker, and has lived in Tauranga Moana since 2014 after moving here from Taranaki.
Sophia works alongside many of the whānau that receive support from the Tauranga Foodbank so sees first hand the benefits of the support offered.
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata – For the people
