Meet the team
Our Coordinators
Ellis Robins - Community Coordinator
Ellis has spent the last 10 years working as a chef, traveling all over the world to learn, share, and connect with people through food.
She settled in Aotearoa in 2019 and loves Wellington and its vibrant local community.
Many in the community recognise Ellis from her time as Head Chef at Everybody Eats, another key initiative in the city's kai network. Her time there deepened her passion for community, collaboration, and the power of food to bring people together.
She is continually inspired by dedicated volunteers and everyday acts of care.
Ellis is currently studying cultural anthropology at university, focusing on food culture and development, a journey that continuously expands her understanding of how food unites diverse cultures and communities.
She is thrilled to bring these rich experiences to her role with Seeds to Feeds
Esther Lewis - Community Coordinator & Board Member
Esther serves as Community Coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience from her deep-rooted connection to the Wellington food scene. Having founded and managed two highly successful food brands, including a self-named line celebrated for its exceptional jarred goods, like sauerkraut, and artisan grape jelly, she blends culinary expertise with community engagement.
Esther’s practice of manaakitanga is rooted in nurturing support, wrap-around care, and a holistic perspective that makes her presence feel like a warm, welcoming hug. Complementing her practical experience, she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy, further enhancing her ability to foster inclusive, healing, and supportive community spaces.
Our Board
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Ange’s personal kaupapa around all things community and her approach to manaakitanga was the birthplace of the initial concept of Seeds to Feeds.
Ange established The Petone Depot as part of a committee of locals in 2013, a space that is known for community activities, art, culture and care. The Petone Depot is also home to the “Koha Cafe”, a weekly cafe open to the public on a Friday. Guests are invited to share a warm delicious meal where payment is, though not expected, koha or pay-as-you-are-able. This initiative, designed by Ange, allows everyone access to a nourishing meal shared in an inviting space.
Being an absolute star in the kitchen she also has a raft of skills that help our volunteers in every aspect of Seeds to Feeds, whether it’s cooking, co-designing, supporting, encouraging, or setting the space for an event. Ange’s practical know-how is invaluable at each and every event. Ange sets the tone for how Seeds to Feeds supports communities, she is warmth, whanau, and care, personified.
Ange is a founder and sits on our board of trustees.
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Zibby has been an integral part of Seeds to Feeds from the very beginning, serving as a sterling hand in our Newtown Seeds to Feeds community.
Originally from Scotland, she has called Aotearoa home for more than 5 years. Professionally, Zibby works as a Senior Manager at Randstad New Zealand, bringing extensive HR and recruitment expertise that shines through in her incredible professionalism, organisational care, and dedication to community development.
With her generous warmth, joyful energy, and vibrant community spirit, Zibby brings encouragement to every project and galvanises the worker bee in us all
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After bringing her passion for honest accessible kai, a love for hosting and feeding, and an ability to connect deeply with those around her in the coordinator role, Sarah step away from the front line and onto the board in 2024.
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Meena's heart beats faster for the intersection of innovation, collaboration and social change.
She is passionate about advancing equity, strengthening inclusion and supporting community-led change. With a background in both social anthropology and design, she seeks to cross-pollinate ideas and conversations, driven by a curiosity that spans disciplines. Over the years, her professional pursuits have taken her from villages to museums, classrooms to boardrooms.
Born in Aotearoa, Meena's ancestors hail from India. Her grandfather was a politician who staunchly supported the struggle for India's independence. You could say decolonisation is in her blood. So it comes as no surprise that questions of power, identity and inclusion have long shaped her work and worldview.