About Marina

As a child I grew up on Military Bases as my Dad was a Soldier. I grew up in a very normal neighbourhood where Father, Mother and children lived on base. A secure environment.

As a child we lived in Singapore for 2 years, our family were invited out to our Maid’s village. Seeing  children begging, elderly people living in the poorest of conditions, this left an impression on my heart. Later I went on to marry a soldier myself and life was still within that secure environment.

In 2017, living in Taupo, it was becoming apparent that many people were struggling.  I felt to organise a Food Rescue program. I went and visited the local Supermarkets, the Manager at Countdown Taupo, was very happy to have a Food Rescue program in his store. I visited with Simon & Tara at Kaivolution in Hamilton who were great in sharing with me their wisdom of a Food Rescue program. Invaluable learning to help get Halo Charitable Trust up and running.

Halo Charitable Trust was launched in November 2017 as a Mobile service.  In 2018 we extended  our operation to Levin and Waikanae. In 2019 living back in Tokoroa we were called to Food Rescue from Tokoroa Countdown store and also Putaruru.  In 2020 before COVID hit we were rescuing every 2^nd day from Hobbiton, which was a great success. Halo has grown from these Programs, which we have seen a lot of difference with those who have been recipients from our mobile service, working with vulnerable families and community organisations.

In 2020 we were successful in receiving a MSD Contract for the South Waikato Region.

We have now set up a large Distribution Warehouse in Tokoroa, where we work with many community organisations in Tokoroa, Putaruru, Tirau and Mangakino.

Networking on any level to help reduce waste to the landfill, especially food that is still nourishing and edible has been a rewarding experience. What I saw as a child living in Singapore, people begging in the Kampong (village) for life’s basic needs, I never ever thought I would see this in New Zealand. But the reality is, we live each day, seeing people in need and many vulnerable, struggling for life’s basic needs.  I feel very privileged to be doing this work.