Your 2026 Westfield Newmarket Local Hero is:

Amanda Butland
Everybody Eats

Warm. Grounded. Trustworthy

For more than eight years, Amanda Butland has helped create a place where everyone has a seat at the table. Through Everybody Eats, she welcomes people experiencing hardship, food insecurity and social isolation into a community built on dignity, connection and good food.

Everybody Eats transforms rescued surplus food into restaurant-quality meals served through a pay-what-you-can model, ensuring everyone can enjoy a shared meal regardless of their circumstances. Amanda joined the organisation when it was still a pop-up and has played a key role in its growth, helping establish and support multiple sites across Auckland.

Amanda says, “Providing a safe place for people who are struggling might just be the stepping stone they need to improve their lives."

What keeps Amanda motivated is the sense of connection she sees every day.

“What keeps me going is the people. Every day, I see the impact this work has - whānau sharing meals, strangers becoming friends, and individuals leaving with a sense of dignity and belonging. Those moments, especially seeing someone walk away with a full stomach and a smile, are incredibly powerful.”

Known for her warmth and authenticity, Amanda remembers faces, notices absences and makes people feel genuinely seen. Many guests return not just for a meal, but for the welcoming community she helps create.

She says, “This work is more than food, it’s about connection. I am truly grateful to be able to do the work I do.”

We'd like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a 5k grant for the organisation they represent

Ella Pracy from Recreate NZ

Hundreds of young people living with disabilities benefit from Ella Pracy’s volunteering with Recreate NZ. Her own experience with anxiety and personal loss first brought her to volunteering in 2022 and she has since dedicated more than 1,000 hours to creating life changing experiences for young people. Ella has helped build their confidence and belonging through social events, outdoor adventures and multi-day programmes.

Ellie Cope from Sweet Louise

Ellie Cope helps ensure women living with incurable breast cancer do not face their journey alone. Supporting more than 90 women through Sweet Louise, she provides practical, emotional and social support, builds trusted relationships, and connects members with services that help them navigate some of life's most challenging moments.

If you need support, please phone Lifeline Aotearoa: 13 11 14

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Newmarket nominees and their organisations.