Wantoks Winter Soup Evening – Warm Kai, Warm Connections
The Wantoks Winter Soup Evening was created to support our community through the coldest months of the year. Winter can be a lonely and difficult time for many migrant families, especially our elders and new families.
Held monthly from June to August, our community gathers to share a warm bowl of soup – with both PNG flavours (chicken soup, pumpkin, aibika) and Kiwi favourites – along with warm talanoa, music, and wellbeing information. It’s a safe, welcoming space to check in on each other, share challenges, and celebrate our Wantok spirit.
This program directly supports our Trust purposes: to be a hub for PNG people, to foster wellbeing, and to show goodwill with all ethnic groups – all are welcome.
- Free monthly community dinner – hot soup, bread, tea/coffee
- Cultural sharing, live acoustic music and story-telling
- Guest speakers: Health, housing, budgeting support and employment services
- Tautoko for isolated families, seniors and new migrants
- Volunteer opportunities for youth to serve elders
Our Impact: 60+ community members attend each evening, reducing isolation and strengthening intergenerational connections.