Mau te ara, kia ora ai te whānau – You define the pathway to enable your whānau to thrive.

This is the vision Tīmata Technologies shares with Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, and it has been the guide in the development of the Tīmata app.

The app launched to offer a way for people to purchase affordable meals that can be delivered, all from the comfort of their home. The app aims to provide users with a connection to this service from just one location and offers individuals the chance to achieve independence and self-sufficiency in their lives. 

“We’re on a mission to create equity for vulnerable people within their communities” says Tīmata app founder, Janice Lee. 

The initial idea was inspired by the efforts of Koha Kai. Kaimahi from the Invercargill-based service wanted to digitally connect tāngata whaikaha, (people with disabilities) in Waihōpai. From there, Janice and her team started to think on a much broader scale about the number of people that could benefit from this app.  

“Tīmata was developed to essentially support anybody who is vulnerable or in a lower socio-economic part of the community, this application is designed to connect them to food, support and healthcare” explains Janice.  

 

Affordable fresh food is the point of difference here. Free shipping is offered across the South Island and each meal is conveniently delivered directly to the customer. Tīmata takes freshness to heart and chefs cook up the delicious kai, plate and ship orders on the same day – all within 24 hours. The meals are delivered chilled chilled, not frozen. 

“The best things in the world are still gonna loose something when they’re frozen, so by sending the meals out chilled…makes them really fresh meals” says Janice.  

“Tīmata was developed to essentially support anybody who is vulnerable in the community, anybody who’s in the lower socio-economic space, this application is designed to connect them to food, support and healthcare” explains Janice.  

 

Where possible, produce for meals is harvested from the gardens of Koha Kai in Murihiku. Tīmata also supports local growers from the takiwā and their priority is to always use fresh, spray-free and locally grown produce.                    

When a customer purchases a meal, the profits from the sale contribute to supporting people with disabilities, helping them to learn skills that will empower them to live independently in the community.  

Are you interested in supporting this kaupapa? You can download the Tīmata app, available now in the app store.

Also, check out the Tīmata website to learn more about this pioneering initiative!