What is in the boxes? Will it change each week?

It’s full of a range of seasonal freshly picked produce (usually 24 hrs).

Nāti Kai box changes with the seasons and represents what is abundant and ready to harvest in the fields that week.

Each week you’ll get staples like root veg such as potatoes, carrots, onions and regulars like Salad lettuce and Microgreens, brassicas, leafy greens and herbs. We’ll also change it up depending on what other more seasonal goodies the growers think are ready in the fields each week such as zucchini, tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers, sweet corn, kamokamo, watercress, puha (Spring/Autumn).

A Medium box will have 7-9 items each week. A Large box 10-14 items. Due to high demand, some items may need to be substituted for similar products of equal or higher value.

Example Autumn / Winter box: 

• Potatoes
• Onions
• Carrots bunch
• Salad Mix 260g
• Microgreens
• Silverbeet bunch
• Bok Choy bunch
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Watercress
• Spring onion bunch

Can I buy other kai through Nāti Kai?

We also sell a fruit bag.
For now we are focussing on vegetables and fruit. In the long term, we may look to expand our offering to include meat, eggs, dry goods and other locally grown foods and preserves. If you would like to be a supplier or partner grower - contact us.

I have silverbeet in my garden, can I substitute/swap certain vegetables?

We are not able to substitute produce, so we suggest trading any items with other customers or people in your community. We will from time to time have additional produce available to purchase. We will let you know ahead of time for add-on options, so you can add to your box.  

How many people does a box feed?

Depends on how much you cook at home and how many vegetables you eat.

• Medium box can feed a family of 2 to 3
• Large box a family of 3-7
• The Hākari box will display the contents & quantity of each veg. As whānau numbers differ, we suggest you decide if this will be enough for your feast, or if you need to purchase more than one box.

How much do boxes cost?

A Medium box is $38 pick up, and Large box $60 pick up.
Pick up from the nearest pick up point is free, delivery is $5 per order and limited to Hicks Bay through to Gisborne town, no further than 5km off of SH35.

When does it start?

You’ll get your first box on the Friday after your order has been placed.

How do I pay?
Payment is via our online store only. We will be able to accept bank transfers via PoliPay in the new year once we have set it up.

What are the pick up locations?

We currently service the region from Hicks Bay through to Gisborne town only.
Pick up points and times are currently:

Tikitiki RSA - Fridays 12pm - 2pm
Ruatorea - Hāti Nati Cafe - Fridays 12pm - 2pm
Gisborne - SuperGrans Tairāwhiti - Fridays 11am - 2pm.

You will need to collect your Nāti Kai box each week within these pick up times. Pick up locations are under an honesty pick up system and we take no responsibility if your kai box goes missing. We will try help locate it.
In times of Covid, we will operate under contactless pick up.
You can request for us to add a new pick up location in your area if you know a suitable host, by contacting us.

Can you deliver boxes to my house or office?

Ae! We offer a home delivery service for $5 per order. Deliveries only operate between Hicks Bay through to Gisborne town (including Gisborne town), within 5km off of SH35. We cannot deliver to PO Boxes or elsewhere in the country at this time.

At checkout, please let us know where we should leave your box (we recommend shaded, covered all-weather area), or if you have any dogs or pets our delivery kaimahi should know about, or if you are self-isolating.

What if I am going away?

If you are unable to pick up your box that day, please let us know as soon as possible ahead of time, or you can nominate someone to pick it up for you (we will need their name).

If you are heading away, you can pause your box for up to 3 weeks and we pause your subscription and payments. You must give us 3 days notice.

Alternatively you can koha your box to a person of your choice or we can donate on your behalf to one of our community organisations or whānau we have identified as needing kai.

What if I don’t pick up my box?

If you have not advised us of your plans and your box is left sitting after more than 2 days with no contact from you, we will donate your box to a whānau in need. In this case no refund will be given.

Do you grow all the food?

It is our goal that all of your produce will come from us Nāti growers, Te Tairāwhiti Growers Collective (TGC). However as we hone our craft as growers and at times of shortfall, produce may be included from trusted growers in the wider Tairāwhiti region.  

As we hone our skills and learn our craft over the coming season, all produce will eventually be from our Collective. This process allows safe and risk free start-up support to our growers and ensures no matter the seasonal issues and weather events, you always get outstanding kai.  

How do you grow the vegetables?

All produce is grown under Organic Certified or sustainable growing practices for optimal soil and human health. Our long term aim is to have all growers Biogro Organic certified as well Maori Grower Certified, Te Waka Kai Ora Hua Para Kore and leading the way in regenerative and agroecology methods.