Kia ora and Welcome to the Kai the Kiwi Professional Collection
Thoughtful, practical resources for educators and health professionals who want to explore food with tamariki in a food-neutral, inclusive and developmentally responsive way.
Created by Kendall North, NZ Registered Dietitian, former Health, Food and Nutrition, and Food Technology teacher, and parent, Kai’s Big Food Discovery brings together nutrition, child development, wellbeing and real-world food learning.
Rather than reducing food education to nutrients, rules or “healthy versus unhealthy”, these resources help tamariki explore how kai connects with bodies, feelings, relationships, culture, identity, pleasure, capability and everyday life.
WHY PROFESSIONALS CHOOSE KAI
- A holistic approach: Explore the many nourishing roles food can have across wellbeing, not only its nutrients.
- Practical professional guidance: Use thoughtful questions, classroom activities, developmental guidance, safety considerations and food-neutral language shifts.
- Learning through curiosity: Help tamariki notice, question, communicate, participate, prepare, plan, solve problems and think critically.
- Inclusive and adaptable: Support different ages, abilities, cultures, sensory needs, food experiences and ways of participating.
- Designed to keep growing: Resources will be reviewed and refined as evidence, professional guidance and the New Zealand Curriculum evolve.
These resources are not intended to prescribe one correct way to teach or talk about food/kai. They provide a strong foundation that can be reflected on and adapted for your ākonga, clients, kura, clinic or community.
