Food is one of the ways we show care. Every meal is a chance to nurture, connect and support learning—which is why our menu matters just as much as our curriculum. 

At New Shoots, kai (food) is a central part of how we care for tamariki (children). It brings comfort, connection, learning and wellbeing. With our new seasonal menu now in place, we are excited to share the thinking behind it, the experts involved, and a couple of simple recipes you can try at home with your whānau. 

Our Menu, Backed by Dietician Expertise

To ensure our meals meet the highest standards of nutrition and safety for tamariki, we partnered with Julia Scott, a New Zealand Registered Dietitian. Julia brings deep experience in early childhood nutrition, starting solids, balanced meal planning, and supporting healthy, realistic food habits for families. 

“Healthy food for tamariki doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be balanced, familiar and enjoyable,” says Julia. 

• Her full audit of our Summer Menu confirmed strong alignment with Ministry of Health guidance. It showed: 
• Whole and minimally processed foods offered every day, 
• Balanced combinations of protein, grains, vegetables and dairy, 
• Choking‑risk modifications that keep meals safe for younger tamariki, 
• Calm, seated mealtimes with active supervision. 

Working with a dietitian to regularly refresh our menu ensures that our kai reflects both best practice and the latest evidence. This gives whānau confidence that our kai is nutritious, safe, and thoughtfully designed.  

A Simple Family Dinner to Try at Home

We wanted to share a taste of the New Shoots menu for the whole whānau to enjoy, so we asked Glen, our Head Chef, which recipe families might enjoy making together at home.  

Glen’s recommendation was the beef koftas. This flavourful dish is simple to prepare, and a fun recipe for tamariki to help with. 

Download the full Beef Kofta Recipe here.

A Festive Treat for Baking With Tamariki

With the holiday season up ahead, we also wanted to share our favourite festive treat!  

Our cinnamon pinwheel scones are soft, warm and perfect for a little festive baking together. Tamariki especially love helping with the rolling and sprinkling. 

Download the Cinnamon Pinwheel Scones Recipe here

Food That Brings Us Together

We love seeing kai bring our community together— and we are thankful to each of you for being part of our table. 

Our new menu reflects our commitment to nourishing, child‑centred environments where every detail supports tamariki and whānau to thrive. With expert dietitian guidance, thoughtful planning from our chefs, and offering simple recipes to try at home, we are proud to continue strengthening our approach to kai. 

If you try either recipe, we would love to see your creations! Share them with your centre or tag us on social media. 

Learn More About Our Approach to Nutrition

To learn more about the role nutrition plays at New Shoots and our values around kai, visit our Nutrition page. You can also view a sample of our menu and download our family recipe book.