The overlooked habit that could save households money in 2026

Despite good intentions, leftovers remain one of the most commonly wasted foods in New Zealand homes. Every year, Kiwi households send more than 12,000 tonnes of edible food to landfill, often because it’s forgotten, poorly stored, or never planned into the next meal.

Project Manager at Love Food Hate Waste NZ, Sophie Wolland, says the issue isn’t that Kiwis don’t care, it’s that leftovers aren’t built into everyday routines.

“Summer is full of shared meals, BBQs and family dinners, which often means leftovers,” says Wolland. “But once busy routines kick back in, those leftovers get pushed aside instead of packed for lunch or frozen for later.

Household food waste costs New Zealanders an estimated $3 billion each year, with leftovers ranking alongside fruit, vegetables and bread as some of the most wasted foods. Food and organic waste also contribute around 9% of New Zealand’s biogenic methane emissions – a potent driver of climate change.

Simple habits like packing leftovers straight after dinner, planning dinners that double as next-day lunches, or creating an ‘Eat Me First’ space in the fridge can make a significant difference.

Turning last night’s roast vegetables into a lunchbox wrap, freezing extra portions, or building lunches around dinner leftovers are small changes that quickly become second nature and prevent good food from going to waste.

Lunchboxes, in particular, play a key role. Planning meals that can be eaten twice, storing food safely, and packing realistic portions can help households reduce waste while saving time and money during the week.

To help turn everyday actions into lasting habits, Love Food Hate Waste NZ is preparing to launch a nationwide initiative later this year that puts leftovers back in the spotlight and back on the plate.

Launching in March 2026 during International Food Waste Action Week, the Leftover Legends Challenge will get New Zealanders to rethink how they treat cooked food and celebrate the simple act of eating leftovers.

“We want to change the story around leftovers,” says Wolland. “They’re not boring or second-best,  they’re tomorrow’s free lunch, time saved, and one of the easiest ways households can take climate action.”

More details about the nationwide Leftover Legends Challenge will be revealed in the coming weeks, with New Zealanders invited to register now to take part this March.