Kai Aotearoa seminar series – 13 September 2023

Seminar 2
Food Insecurity in a Time of Plenty

Dr Rebekah Graham

Food insecurity is a complex issue affecting increasing numbers of families who live in Aotearoa New Zealand. Despite being a high-quality food-producing nation, nearly a third of New Zealand households say they face moderate food insecurity, experiencing uncertainty about whether they’ll have enough food, or choosing cheaper, often nutritionally poor items. Approximately seven percent of households sometimes run out of food on a regular basis. This issue demands urgent attention from scholars and activists alike. In this lecture, Dr Graham will highlight the realities of food insecurity in everyday life and the associated issues faced by vulnerable communities, the need for transformative action, and how progressive policies can make a difference.

Drawing on literature from the field of community psychology and social practice, Dr Graham will note the underlying factors contributing to food insecurity in Aotearoa, which includes the impact of our colonial history, socio-economic disparities, and inadequate access to culturally appropriate and nutritious foods. Alongside this Dr Graham will also cover the importance of local knowledge, community-based initiatives, and culturally relevant food systems in addressing food insecurity.

Rebekah Graham (Pākehā) is based in the Waikato region of Aotearoa New Zealand. Rebekah is a registered community psychologist and is the National Executive Officer for Parents of Vision Impaired NZ, a consumer group with Blind Low Vision NZ. In this role, Rebekah advocates strongly and consistently for inclusion, accessibility and support for all, with a focus on parents/whānau of a vision impaired child. Alongside this, Dr Graham has continued with her academic work in the area of poverty, health and disability, and food insecurity. In particular, her work focuses on the ways in which inequities of access to resources play out in the everyday lives of New Zealanders.

Click here to view a recording of the seminar