A reporter toured Pacific islands and Southeast Asia, highlighting local food resilience efforts amid import dependence.

RNZ reporter Kate Green, a Jefferson Fellow, traveled to Hawaii, Indonesia, and Thailand in 2025 to examine food security challenges and solutions. She highlighted island vulnerabilities due to heavy import reliance and limited food reserves, while showcasing community-led efforts to restore traditional farming—like taro cultivation in Hawaii, sustainable noodle production in Indonesia, and greenhouse farming in Thailand. Across regions, she emphasized the value of empowering local farmers, integrating indigenous knowledge, and aligning land use with ecological and cultural sustainability.