Help Me Make a Difference
I’m privileged to be leading work at Council focused on making Tāmaki Makaurau a place where Māori can thrive. This means working with my team, alongside mana whenua and Māori communities, to support long-term outcomes, from strengthening marae as community anchors, to investing in important kaupapa and projects, and building partnerships across the region that enable cultural, social and economic growth.
At its heart, this work is about potential. It’s about creating a city where identity, culture and opportunity are visible, valued and able to flourish, and where Māori success is seen as central to Auckland’s success as a whole. For the region to truly thrive, all of our communities need to succeed.
But we also have to be honest about the reality in front of us. Too many whānau are still facing real hardship, including housing insecurity and homelessness. If we’re serious about the future we’re trying to build, then we need to respond to that as well, with care, practical support, and a sense of shared responsibility.
That’s why I’m backing the Auckland City Mission through the Cook Off. The Mission’s work is immediate and tangible, providing meals, support, and dignity to people who need it most. It’s a simple but powerful contribution to the kind of city we’re all trying to create.
Cooking has always been my happy place. Back home on my marae you’ll usually find me in the kauta (kitchen) with the cuzzies, getting a meal ready for our manuhiri (visitors). For me, there’s something grounding about that, bringing people together through kai and looking after each other.
And to be honest, there’s also a bit of personal motivation close to home - my boss Phil set a strong benchmark last year. I’m aiming to beat it in 2026.
My fellow participants and I aiming to raise enough funds to ensure that the Mission is able to provide over 25,000 meals for people at Haeata this winter.
Please support by making a donation and together we can ensure that people who are experiencing homelessness are able to receive at least meal each day.
Every donation will make a difference!
$1600 raised
$5008 raised
$7500 raised
$10000 raised! Ka rawe!
Even more meals! Thank you and all your supporters!
This amount supports 1,250 people with a hot nutritious meal at Haeata this winter - huge impact!
Congratulations on reaching your goal!
Thank you to everyone!
$54.84
Hau Rawiri
$54.84
Sandra Jack
Go Nick! Great initiative. Thanks for your mahi re: this important kaupapa.
$54.84
Anna Percy
$23.50
Anonymous
$23.50
Susan Needham
$20
Vicky C
Ngā mihi nui for your support with this amazing cause. Ngā manaakitanga to you, and go well with everything ahead!
$23.50
Kate Lewis
Great work Nick! Good luck with the bake off. Kia kaha?
$33.87
Keren Alleyne
$40
Kim Lawgun
Good luck for the cook off, Nick! Such an incredible event bringing people together to provide warmth, dignity and a great meal for vulnerable Aucklanders. Wishing you a fantastic night and every success with the fundraising!
$28.43
Kath Coombes
$44.71
Anonymous
$106.12
Anne-marie Mujica
$33.87
Anna Mcelrea Anna Mcelrea
Great cause to raise awareness and money for Nick.
$54.84
Dominic
$23.50
Anonymous
$6.20
Anonymous
$11.80
Anonymous
$6.20
Anonymous
$49.83
Anonymous
cash from bake sale
$23.50
Gary Blick
$11.80
Anonymous
$11.80
Matthew Horrocks
Kia kaha Nick!
$23.50
Carol
$86.07
Joe Harawira
Ka rawe to mahi Nick. Great to catchup this morning.
$11.80
Anonymous
$33.87
Sam Bunge
$6.20
Anonymous
$5
Anonymous
$54.84
Anahera Higgins
Kei runga noa atu
$4
Claire Randall
$10
Maddy
$11.80
Anonymous
Thank you Nick this is a great cause
$5.86
Anonymous
$2.99
Anonymous
$6.20
Anonymous
ALL THE BEST NICK
$6.20
Anonymous
You got this!
$10
Leah Kampkes
$10
Anonymous
Kia kaha!
$6.20
Ej Acac
You got this!
$6.20
Reuben Saipaia
$6.20
Mira Arif
This is awesome mahi Nick
$6.20
Anonymous
$23.50
Sara Mole
$11.80
Jane Bergin
$6.20
Anonymous
$54.84
Lou-ann
Good luck Nick!
$23.50
Mh
$9.44
Anonymous
$6.20
Anonymous
$11.80
Anonymous
Nice one!
$23.50
Pd
Mean bro!
$11.80
Stella Hallam
$44.71
Charlotte Lewis
$44.71
Carl Tate
Mahi pai rawa.
$17.66
Anonymous
$11.80
Rebecca Purvis
$20
Anonymous
Awesome!
$10
Pary Chong
$6.20
Anonymous
$23.50
Kate Innes-monsalve
$11.80
Anonymous
Awesome work Nick and good cause.
$23.50
Krystal A
Go Nick!
$15
Anonymous
$23.50
Stacey
$44.71
Catherine Alexander
$54.84
Brenna Waghorn
Great effort
$5
M H
Ngā mihi ki a koutou
$86.07
Maryke
$100
Clare Wall Shaw
Kia kaha! Great cause!
$23.50
Tash
Good luck Nick
$54.84
Alex Rogers
Ka mau te wehi
$11.80
Zee Phakathi
$11.80
Anonymous
$23.50
Joanne Mcgregor
$11.80
Riz Reddy
All the best
$6.20
Anna
$28.43
Grace Tocker
Ka rawe!
$11.80
Anonymous
$54.84
Ariana Young
$50
Wairaka Mason
Chalega! You got this Nick 😎🤙🏽
$65.39
Sarah Valentine
Always happy to support such wonderful mahi.
$1,000
Hayden Turoa
Too much bro! Ka ripa tahurangi te remu o te huia!
$54.84
Leanne
Ka rawe Nick. Karawhiua! Nā, Tuwharetoa
$23.50
Anonymous
A city's true success is defined by the wellbeing of all its residents.
$23.50
Anonymous
$54.84
Lucy Tukua
#turducken no to the turd please lol! Karawhiua e hoa!!
$54.84
Sheri-ann
Funny fella !
$106.12
Richard Jarrett
Haere pai Nick !
$11.80
Anonymous
Well done Whanau!
$11.80
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
Anonymous
$44.71
Karina Mcgregor
Amazing Nick Such a great cause Helping to meet the need in Auckland. Yay for City Mission. Actions speak louder than words - love in action here for people. You are so funny as well. Runs in the Whānau eh. Keep up the awesome mahi
$44.71
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$162.75
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$162.75
Richard Nahi
Mauri Ora!
$86.07
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$86.07
Bernie
Expressing gratitude for the support my whanau and I received from the Mission when we were struggling and stuck in the poverty cycle.
$54.84
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$54.84
Pippa Sommervile
Cook well Nic!
$50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$50
Paul O'shea
Kei a koe mō te mahi i te umu tao roa a Tahu!! Good Luck
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
Anonymous
Might need to publish that scone recipe when the fundraiser ends they are MEAN!
$54.84
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$54.84
David Bhana
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
Dale Nicholson
$86.07
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$86.07
Olivia Aroha Giles
Hey my cuz Nic, it's Aroha, big loves to you.
$23.50
Anonymous
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$11.80
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$11.80
Anonymous
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
Sam Hill
Ka rawe!
$106.12
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$106.12
Michael Burns
Great work Nick
$50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$50
Meredith
Great work Nick!
$44.71
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$44.71
Paula J Wilson
Karawhiua e hoa
$106.12
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$106.12
Katy Bexley
All the best Nick - this is such a great cause and we are backing you all the way!
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
Manesha Morarji
Ka pai Nick
$30
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$30
F&c
Great kaupapa — happy to help you win! 😄
$29.58
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$29.58
Tapan Choudhary
Keep up the good work, good to see you in this year Cook Off 2026 part of raising 25,000 warm meals Incredible!
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
Nicky
$44.71
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$44.71
Thomas Bulloch
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
Anonymous
Thanks Nick. You're inspirational :)
$106.12
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$106.12
Jane Badger
Awesome mahi Nick!
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.50
Natalie Blackstock
$86.07
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$86.07
Emma Cowie-dixon
$86.07
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$86.07
Susan Hutchinson
Give it heaps Nick
$86.07
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
$106.12
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$106.12
Mike L
Go Nick! Great cause and keen to see you beat the boss!
$53.64
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$53.64
Canela Ferrara Ac
Ka rawe te mahi!
$86.07
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$86.07
Anonymous
$106.12
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$106.12
Rachel Kelleher
Awesome mahi Nick, thanks for representing our organisation with this worthy cause.
$86.07
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$86.07
Rhonwen
Smash it
$54.84
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$54.84
Micaela
$23.02
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$23.02
Anonymous
$54.84
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$54.84
Anonymous
$23.50
Jp Preston
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$106.12
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$106.12
Anonymous
$11.80
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$11.80
Anonymous
"Finally this guys gone >_<"
$54.84
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$54.84
Samantha Collings
Mahi tika ana Nick. Karawhiua
$23.50
Anonymous
Kia ora Nick and the City Mission team.
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$54.84
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$54.84
Ying
$33.87
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$33.87
Alan Hanley
$23.50
Holly Reid
$23.50
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$86.07
Jo Davidson
Good luck Nick, this is such a good cause!
$23.50
Archie Bulloch
Good luck
$54.84
Emma
Awesome kaupap Nick
$200
Anonymous
Nāu te mutunga kē mai nei o te kaha o te mahi. Ka rawe
$33.87
Sharon Chadwick
Good on you Nic, from cousin Sharon x
$52.75
Anonymous
Awesome mahi Nick
$31.65
Ange
Ka pai Nick!
$168.80
Marina Matthews
I advise against making the turducken! Go get ‘em, boss
$105.50
Sue Travaglia
Backing you to knock it out of the park Nick!
$84.40
Brian Chan
Go Nick!
$168.80
Mirla
Good stuff Nick!
$50
Mei Hill
Kia kaha Nick - look forward to trying those kumara onion scones :)
$84.40
Kieran
Karawhiua Nick. Pai mutunga te mahi nei!
$52.75
Paul White
$316.50
Brendon Cowan
I’m paying to watch you fail Nick…
$84.40
Mls
Karawhiua Nick!
$31.65
Pete
$52.75
Justine Haves
Kia kaha Nick! Great and important cause
$211
Lisa Tocker
Kia kaha Nick, ka mau te wehi!
$52.75
Taryn
Good luck!!
$200
Patricia
Go hard or go home my friend!
$21.10
Hayley Wolters
$168.80
Siani Walker
Ka rawe cuz
$52.75
Grace Tocker
Ka mau te wehi, Nick! Tunua he kai rawe!
$52.75
Anna Kerr
Go nickles!! Awesome cause xx
$105.50
Matt Winiata
$52.75
Kathryn Hickling
Ka rawe e hoa 🤗
$63.30
Kat Ashmead
Ka rawe!
$42.20
Puawaananga - Donna
Karawhiua e hoa! Wepua!
$21.10
Greer Lees
$84.40
Wendell Dcunha
Good luck Nick
$520
Anonymous
lets do this!
Our Team
Andrew Lance - Simplicity
$870.15
Clare Gallagher - New World
$7,054.47
Diana Simpson - Giltrap
$3,646.81
Lara Hillier - PwC
$7,446.48
Mike Stokes - Indicator
$3,931.90
Nick Turoa - Auckland Council
$11,601.98
Ka mau te wehi Nick