National food security
Dr Catherine Knight
Massey University/Author
Dr Catherine Knight is a public policy analyst and an Honorary Research Associate at Massey University. She is an award‑winning author of several acclaimed books including Beyond Manapouri: 50 years of environmental politics in New Zealand and An Uncommon Land. She has an advocate for post-growth and wellbeing economies and writes on these topics on Newsroom, The Spinoff and on Substack.
Key points from expert talk
- New Zealand’s apparent food abundance masks significant vulnerabilities. Although the country produces more food than it consumes, it remains heavily dependent on imports for staple foods such as cereals and plant proteins, leaving it exposed to climate, trade and geopolitical disruptions.
- Food production depends on fragile global supply chains. Industrial agriculture relies on imported fuel, fertiliser, machinery and agricultural chemicals, meaning disruptions to international trade could significantly reduce New Zealand’s capacity to produce, process and distribute food.
- The current food system prioritises efficiency over resilience. Highly centralised production and distribution systems minimise costs in stable conditions but are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather, fuel disruptions and other shocks.
- The dominant model of food production carries high environmental costs. Livestock production requires substantially more land, energy and water than plant-based foods, while contributing disproportionately to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss and water pollution.
- Food insecurity exists despite national food surpluses. Many New Zealand households struggle to access affordable, nutritious food, with Māori, Pasifika and children disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
- A national food security strategy is needed. The expert talk recommends a comprehensive assessment of food security to guide land use, strengthen domestic production of staple foods and improve resilience to future global disruptions.
- Diversifying food production would strengthen resilience and deliver multiple benefits. Expanding production of cereals, legumes and other plant foods, protecting highly productive soils and supporting local food systems could improve food security while reducing environmental impacts and improving public health.
- Building food security requires systemic change. Reducing food waste, decentralising food systems and supporting community and iwi-led food initiatives will strengthen resilience, but systemic change at government level will be required to fully address food security.