PAK'nSAVE Mill Street backs first social supermarket for Waikato whānau

PAK’nSAVE Mill Street team members have been busy helping prepare for the opening of Hamilton’s first social supermarket, Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa – Kirikiriroa's Cupboard

As Hamilton prepares to welcome its first social supermarket, the team at PAK'nSAVE Mill Street has been standing alongside the community to help bring Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa – Kirikiriroa's Cupboard to life.

Opening on 18 August, the social supermarket is a partnership between Foodstuffs North Island and Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora (operated by Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust) to provide affordable food and wraparound support services for Waikato whānau.

Located on Norton Road, the social supermarket will offer families a dignified, choice-based shopping experience, while connecting them with budgeting advice, social services and other support designed to strengthen long-term wellbeing.

As the local buddy store, PAK'nSAVE Mill Street has been working behind the scenes for weeks to help prepare the new supermarket.

Store Manager Akash Charles said supporting the project was an easy decision.

"This is about much more than putting food on shelves. It's about giving people the opportunity to shop with dignity while accessing the support they need to build a stronger future.

“As a locally owned business, we’re proud to support an initiative that helps strengthen our community.

"There are whānau in our community who simply can't afford a regular supermarket shop. Having a place where people can choose the food that's right for their family, while also accessing support in the same place, can make a real difference."

PAK'nSAVE Mill Street team members have volunteered their time to assemble shelving, stock display shelves, complete ticketing and prepare the supermarket for opening day.

A social supermarket provides the opportunity for those experiencing financial hardship to choose their own groceries and essentials using a points system, rather than receiving a pre-packed food parcel.

During a community working bee on 28 July, 15 store team members joined Foodstuffs volunteers and community partners Mitre 10 and the Kindness Collective to build garden boxes, move soil, plant vegetables and prepare the site for future māra kai [food garden] that will help supplement fresh produce available through the social supermarket.

Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora chief executive Jaye Wainui said the social supermarket would provide practical support for families facing increasing pressures and reflects the enduring commitment of the community organisation to strenghthen whānau and support tamariki to thrive.

“At Tamariki Tū Tamariki Ora, our focus is on whānau and tamariki feeling supported, valued and empowered. Te Kāpata Kai o Kirikiriroa is about much more than access to affordable food; it’s about dignity, care and connection.

“This has been a vision we’ve held for our community, and seeing it come to life through the incredible support of Foodstuffs, PAK’nSAVE Mill Street and our community partners is hugely rewarding. They have stood alongside us from the beginning, generously sharing their expertise, time and resources to help make this happen for Waikato whānau.”

Dry Goods Operations Manager Angelene Kaa said the project resonated deeply with many of the team.

"I'm a mum of six and have ten grandchildren, so I understand the pressures many families face when it comes to putting food on the table. Being able to help create something that gives people dignity and support means a lot.

"The response from our team was incredible. We had people volunteering from right across the store. Many finished the day saying how proud they were to be involved."

Store owner Hamish Walton ensured team members could volunteer during paid time, reflecting the store's commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen the Hamilton community.

The support won't stop once the supermarket opens.

PAK'nSAVE Mill Street will continue providing training, mentoring and operational support as the social supermarket grows.

Akash said the partnership demonstrates what's possible when local organisations work together.

"This is a community coming together to support its own people. We're proud to play a small part in helping make Kirikiriroa's Cupboard a success, and we'll continue to be there whenever we're needed."

Around 25 to 30 PAK'nSAVE Mill Street team members are expected to attend the opening which will celebrate Foodstuffs North Island's 15th social supermarket partnership and the first of its kind in Waikato.

For the PAK'nSAVE Mill Street team, the opening is a practical example of local people and local organisations working together to support local families.