Thanks for making leftovers legendary!
The Leftover Legends Challenge has now closed
The Leftover Legends challenge has officially wrapped for 2026 and thanks to Kiwis across Aotearoa 8,301 plates of good food were saved from the bin — a huge win for wallets and the planet!
From simple saves to clever remakes, every plate logged showed just how easy it can be to make leftovers count and helped build a community of legends committed to making more of the food they already have. The challenge may be over, but the momentum it created is here to stay.
Official Campaign Partner
Woolworths NZ didn’t just sponsor our grand prize of groceries for a year – they helped power the mission from the ground up. Through influencer partnerships, nationwide in-store radio, and active workplace involvement, they helped bring the Leftover Legends Challenge to life across Aotearoa.
Legends across Aotearoa saved over 8K plates!
From fakeaway pizzas and remix wraps to leftover fruit scones, Kiwis across the motu gave odds and ends a new life, proving that leftovers aren’t second-best, they’re full of potential.
Legends getting creative with leftovers
Leftover boiled potatoes make the perfect crust to make a delicious quiche.
Save your potato peels, crisp them up in the oven and use as salad topping.
Slices of bread also make great crusts for savoury tarts and quiches.
Pizzas are the perfect solution for those little bits of leftovers you don’t know what else to do with.
Create tasty quesadillas with leftovers, all you need are tortillas.
Savoury muffins are a fun and creative way to make the most floppy and leftover cooked vege.
No matter how little is left, there’s always enough for a pie!
Feeling creative? Make your own cream cheese from milk to make a delicious cheesecake!
You don't need a pizza base to make pizzas, slices of toast make perfect individual serves!
A celebration of leftovers and action!
As part of International Food Waste Action Week, we inspired Kiwis around the country with legendary tips, tricks, and life hacks to help make the most of everything we buy, store, and eat. Whether you missed the webinar or just want to brush up on your skills, you can catch the full replay right here.
Meet our legendary creators
Leftover makeovers with Chasing a Plate
Bolognese Pizza with Simon and Kate
Be a Leftover Legend with Nurturedbyhan
Make chicken noodle salad with Jax
The Forest Cantina's "goodness bowl"
2-2-2 rule with Simon and Kate
Leftovers for lunch with Amandawastefree
Leftovers taste better the next day
FACT: There’s more than one way to love your leftovers
South Islanders are more likely to pull a meal from the freezer turn bits and bobs into a new meal, while North Islanders were more likely to enjoy the leftover dish as it was.
Leftover Legends was proudly supported by
Legends on location
Hastings District Council offices
Hillcrest Library, Hamilton
Auckland Council WasteWise team at the FoodExpo
Metlifecare offices
Hamilton City Council spotted street posters
Digital billboards
Manaia Library, South Taranaki
Street poster in Taupo
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Master Your Meal Planning
The secret to reducing food waste starts before you shop. Use our planning tools to design a waste-free week, save money and ensure every ingredient has a purpose
Take the Beat The Bin Challenge
Beat the Bin helps you take small yet powerful steps to reduce food waste at home. Over 3 weeks, you'll get doable challenges, tips, and smart tools straight to your inbox - everything you need to build new habits that stick.
Know Your Dates
Use By Vs Best Before – do you know the difference? Take our quick quiz to master food dates, and stop throwing away perfectly good food.
Get social & let your friends know
86% of Kiwis think wasting food is wrong, are you one of them?
