On The Up: Bay of Islands Good Bitches Baking chapter launched to help locals

Kerikeri resident Lisa Jarrett has launched a Bay of Islands branch of Good Bitches Baking to bring a little joy to those in need. Photo / Jenny Ling

Lisa Jarrett used to love whipping up cakes for her former work colleagues in Wellington and the Good Bitches Baking chapter she volunteered at while living in the windy city.

Having settled into her new Northland life over the past few years, she’s launched a new chapter of the charitable organisation which is slowly but surely taking off.

The Bay of Islands Good Bitches Baking – like the other 32 chapters around the country including Whangārei – is a volunteer network that delivers homemade treats to people experiencing trauma, illness or difficult times.

“Lots of locals are doing it tough out there, but even more are ready to help,” Jarrett said.

“Good Bitches Baking can be the link.

“I’m looking forward to turning community energy into treats for those who need a little kindness.”

Founded by Nicole Murray and Marie Fitzpatrick in 2014, the organisation aims to make New Zealand the “kindest place on earth” by providing moments of connection and joy.

Jarrett joined as a volunteer in 2020, when she couldn’t work from the office during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Before then she’d always baked cakes for her work colleagues when it was their birthday.

She was known mostly for her themed cakes, but also her delicious scones, slices, chocolate-chip biscuits and her “claim to fame”, pavlova.

“When I wasn’t in the office anymore, I’d missed baking for people and started baking for Good Bitches.

“It’s a really easy way to give back.

“It’s not a whole lot of effort to bake a batch of cookies; the effort is just timing the drop-offs.”

The Bay of Islands chapter already has 14 volunteers from Kerikeri, Paihia and as far as Mangonui.

They bake for recipient organisations including Hospice Mid Northland, Cancer Society Northland, and Dementia Tai Tokerau, who distribute the baked goods to those in need.

“Volunteers get to pick a monthly roster spot, bake one batch of whatever they choose [biscuits, muffins, a cake or a loaf] pop it into a box provided by Good Bitches, and write down the ingredients in case of allergies,” Jarrett said.

“Then they deliver the box to the organisation [based in Kerikeri] who distributes it.”

Their first delivery of 15 boxes was to Hospice Mid Northland last November.

Hospice Mid Northland chief executive Cristina Ross said they’ve since had treats delivered three or four times a week.

“The clinical team of nurses and counsellors distribute the cakes and biscuits when they go out and visit families where appropriate.

“It’s been very well received ... the families have been really appreciative of it.

“It’s a really nice, kind gesture.”

Over the last year, the national charity’s 3500 volunteers baked 37,333 boxes of treats for around 559,000 people across Aotearoa.

• Good Bitches Baking Bay of Islands is looking for more volunteers. If you’d like to help email bayofislands@gbb.org.nz.

Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.