The word Kahurangi has various connotations that are similar in meaning. Kahurangi literally means prized, precious, honourable, distinguished and treasured.
Established in 2015 in partnership between the University of Waikato and Montana Group, we are responsible for the management and operation of all Halls of Residence (Student Village, College Hall, and Bryant Hall) catering to over 700 students. We also operate Kahurangi Café, located in the Village Green shops, and provide catering services for a range of functions and events both on and off campus.
Our Story
Kai A Te Rangatira He Korero
The sustenance of the Chiefs is robust debate.
This phrase was gifted to us by the Kaumatua of the University when Kahurangi was first established.
We bring people together to share not just food but also conversation, replenishment and growth that comes from sharing food. This act is at the heart of all communities.
We wish to play this role in the University of Waikato – growing and strengthening it, not just for those who are already part of the University community, but every time we bring new people into that community through an event.
We are committed to using produce and artisan suppliers from our Waikato and Bay of Plenty communities. Our contemporary and innovative table is built from understanding our tikanga and what it can create for taste profiles and techniques.
Our Philosophy
The difference is always on the plate – our food, our creativity, our chefs, our kitchen, our ingredients & our menus.
At the core of our cooking, Kahurangi explores the tikanga of Maori techniques and tastes, using traditional cooking methods and ingredients in our own industry-leading way.
Our state-of-the-art integrated food preparation and delivery system includes huge blast freezers for storing food and “combi” ovens which allow food to be cooked in several different cooking styles – steam, dry heat or fan forced.
Because our kitchens are so sophisticated, it means the food we serve is as well. Our meals are prepared from a range of fresh produce, cooked using top of the range production facilities and delivered to your table within minutes of leaving the stovetop.
Kaitiakitanga
At Kahurangi we are always evolving and looking for new ways to be innovative. We have a number of key initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint and will continue to work with the University of Waikato towards a more sustainable future.
This is how we do our bit.
Where possible, we source ingredients from local suppliers which enables us to support the region and New Zealand businesses.
Our unofficial motto “real chefs cooking real food” runs through the whole company with an emphasis on fresh local produce, meats, and seafood, selected and prepared to retain their nutritional qualities.
Food waste is minimised through effective ordering, planning, and monitoring purchasing patterns.
We engage a food rescue company, Kaivolution, to collect leftover perishable food after large events.
Additionally, we have a partnership with local pig farm Free Little Pigs where our food waste is 100% minimised. OSCA?
We employ a ‘reduce. reuse, recycle’ policy, particularly in our office environments. Office stationery and paper is reused, printed efficiently, and recycled.
Compostable packaging is utilised for any disposable items, and we actively promote reusable crockery to our clients.
We actively minimise vehicle movement within the business.
We have partnered with the University on the implementation of a new refuse compacting system, Miltek, that compacts 80 large rubbish bags into the space of 1.5 bags.
We’re actively working with the University’s Sustainability and Environment Manager to promote the use of reusable coffee mugs.
About Montana Group
Montana Group (MG) is a specialist food and events management business, operating several brands, including Kahurangi, in the upper North Island with a range of food, service, and event operations.
MG business and brands have grown from success and, because we started small, we’ve learnt along the way how to balance scale and innovation, with partnership focus and care.
With 10 core brands and more than 30 kitchens across two cities, the Group is now recognised as the largest, privately-owned caterer in New Zealand.
Visit montanagroup.co.nz to find out more.
