Steve Broad is passionate about supporting a stronger and more resilient food system in Southland.

Inspired by the great work of the Murihiku Kai Collective following the release of their Good Food Road Map last year, Steve moves into a pilot role as the region’s first Murihiku Kai Coordinator, based in the Healthy Families Invercargill team at Active Southland.

As part of the new role, Steve will be helping support the work of the Murihiku Kai Collective and will support their strategy and vision.

He’s excited to “work alongside some of the legends leading change in this space.”

While Steve admits there’s a lot to learn, he plans to bring his experience in education, marketing and promotion, story-telling, local government and working with people to this role.

“This job centres around looking for solutions to ensure that everyone in our community has access to good food, at an affordable price. It celebrates our rich kai history, our local food producers, empowers people to grow their own kai and I’m excited about the power that kai has to connect and nourish our community.”

A trained primary teacher, Steve spent five years teaching in Southland and Auckland, before returning to the radio industry where he managed operations and promotions for Mediaworks in Southland and Canterbury, then worked on air for More FM Southland, and latterly in sales.

Steve’s also a councillor on the Invercargill City Council and enjoys hiking and exploring new places, beaches, live music, great kai, and spending time with friends and family.

Led by an empowered community, Steve will be doing his part to create frameworks to better support our local systems, food producers and entrepreneurs, and ultimately continue on a path to regional food security and resilience.

“There’s lots to do, and it will take time, but I’d love to eventually see kai celebrated as a key part of who we are as a region, within the community, but also nationally and internationally. To be a key part of how we tell our story. It’s an exciting space to be working in!”

Click to find out more about the Murihiku Kai Collective and the Good Food Roadmap.

Article added: Thursday 30 January 2025