Kārena and Kasey Bird are award-winning chefs, best-selling authors, and television hosts dedicated to showcasing Māori culture and cuisine on the global stage. Raised in the coastal village of Maketū, they developed a deep appreciation for fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the traditions of Māori cooking. Their journey from a small-town upbringing to international culinary recognition is a testament to their passion, determination, and love for sharing kai with others.
In 2014, they made history as the first duo to win MasterChef New Zealand, a victory that set them on an extraordinary path. Since then, they have hosted the critically acclaimed television series Kārena & Kasey’s Kitchen Diplomacy, travelling to over 50 destinations worldwide to explore food and culture. Their best-selling cookbooks, For the Love of... (2015) and Hungry (2017), showcase their unique approach to storytelling through kai, winning multiple Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, including Best TV Cookbook in the World and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kārena and Kasey’s work extends beyond the kitchen. As food ambassadors, they have represented Aotearoa at New Zealand Week in Shanghai and various New Zealand Embassy functions worldwide. Their Creation Dinner series—a fine dining experience inspired by Māori cosmology—redefined degustation, bringing together world-class indigenous food producers, Māori winemakers, and a team of young Māori wāhine. Their work continues to push boundaries, blending tradition with innovation.
They have also judged the New Zealand Food Awards (2022, 2023, 2024) and were named among the Top 50 Women in Food & Drink Aotearoa New Zealand (2023, 2025). Recognised for their creativity and impact, they received Most Innovative Event at Wellington on a Plate (2024) and Best Arts or Cultural Event (2022) for Taiao: Food of the Gods.
Their latest project is their most meaningful yet—an upcoming cookbook written entirely in te reo Māori, celebrating language, whakapapa, and indigenous knowledge through kai. They continue to bring Māori storytelling to life through immersive pop-up dining experiences, where guests are taken on a journey through flavours and traditions unique to Aotearoa.
Through their cooking, writing, and storytelling, Kārena and Kasey are shaping the future of Māori cuisine while fostering a deeper appreciation for the culture and traditions of Aotearoa.
Talking Points
The Power of Kai: Food as a Connector of Culture and Identity
Food is more than just sustenance—it’s a powerful way to preserve culture, connect communities, and tell stories. Drawing from their Māori heritage and global culinary experiences, Kārena and Kasey explore how food shapes identity, strengthens whānau, and creates lasting memories. This keynote is perfect for audiences interested in cultural storytelling, food sovereignty, and the role of cuisine in shaping communities.
The Power of Kai: Food as a Connector of Culture and Identity
Breaking Barriers: From a Small Town to the World Stage
Growing up in the small coastal town of Maketū, Kārena and Kasey never imagined their love for kai would take them around the world. This inspiring keynote shares their journey—from self-taught cooks to MasterChef champions, award-winning authors, and TV hosts—proving that success is possible with passion, resilience, and determination. Ideal for leadership, entrepreneurship, and motivation-focused events
Breaking Barriers: From a Small Town to the World Stage
Innovation and Tradition: Redefining Māori Cuisine
How do you honour tradition while pushing the boundaries of culinary innovation? In this engaging talk, Kārena and Kasey discuss their unique approach to blending traditional Māori cooking methods with contemporary techniques. From their internationally recognized pop-up dining experiences to their upcoming all-Te Reo Māori cookbook, they show how embracing innovation can celebrate and strengthen cultural heritage.
Innovation and Tradition: Redefining Māori Cuisine
Food Sovereignty: The Future of Indigenous Cuisine
What does food sovereignty mean in a modern world? This keynote explores indigenous food systems, sustainability, and how traditional Māori knowledge can inform the future of ethical eating. Audiences will gain insight into the importance of local ingredients, land stewardship, and the revival of indigenous food practices. Perfect for discussions on sustainability, food policy, and indigenous rights.
Food Sovereignty: The Future of Indigenous Cuisine
Women in Leadership: Carving Your Own Path in the Culinary World
Kārena and Kasey share their experiences as wāhine Māori in the food industry, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of forging a career in a competitive, male-dominated space. They discuss leadership, self-belief, and the importance of lifting others up, making this keynote ideal for women’s leadership events, entrepreneurship panels, and empowerment conferences.
Women in Leadership: Carving Your Own Path in the Culinary World
Karena & Kasey were a fantastic addition to our jam packed Summit programme, bringing their own flare and experience to share with our audience. Feedback from our post-event survey shows peo ... keep reading Conference Innovators Ltd
