By Ricky Fernandez
Auckland – The Filipino sibling duo behind one of New Zealand’s most beloved food blogs, Locavore Eats, has been named Filipino-Kiwi Influencers of the Year at the prestigious Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards — a highlight segment of the Grand Annual Philippine Independence Day Commemoration, the biggest Filipino event in Auckland on 7 June 2025 at the Auckland Showgrounds.
What began as a shared hobby between Filipino siblings, AG and Aleana, has grown into a platform for empowering Kiwis involved in Auckland’s vibrant restaurant scene.
“Our parents growing up loved cooking and eating out as well,” the duo shared in an interview with Filipino News. “All of our early memories in New Zealand would be us eating out as a family and trying out new spots.”
That early influence laid the foundation for a now-thriving food blog that balances visual appeal with thoughtful commentary. Inspired by trailblazers like Mark Wiens, they began sharing food reviews with what they once thought would be a humble following. Today, their reach stretches across multiple social media channels, including Instagram (50,000 followers), TikTok (94,000 followers), and YouTube (37,000 subscribers), capturing a loyal audience that includes a strong Filipino following.
Despite covering a broad range of cuisines, the duo remains passionate about promoting Filipino cuisine, which is often labelled ‘underrated.’ “We try to showcase Filipino food as much as we can, especially in the Auckland food scene,” Aleana explains. “When we moved here in 2007, there was definitely a lack of Filipino spots. But around the time we started our food account, more Filipino restaurants were popping up, and that made us want to showcase cuisine in a more mainstream setting”.
“I feel like Filipino food, even now, is still misunderstood… which is crazy because we’re the third-largest ethnic population in New Zealand,” she says.
The duo acknowledges the important place that Filipino culture holds in their identities and encourages young Filipinos to be proud of their culture. “Don’t be afraid to be judged if you don’t feel connected [to your Filipino roots],” Aleana says. “I don’t speak Tagalog, but I can understand Tagalog, so I feel slightly ‘less Filipino’ because of it. But having a supportive system of people who are proud of your Filipino roots, including our parents, makes me even more proud of my Filipino culture,” she explains.
AG and Aleana agree that balancing full-time jobs and food influencing isn’t much of a struggle due to their shared passion for experiencing food. “Going out to eat is kind of just an activity in itself, and the content is just a consequence of that… it still feels fun.”
A Locavore Eats review strikes a balance between positivity and being constructive. “Everyone will have their own opinion. But it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying empty negative words if you don’t like the food. But we strive to be positive about a review and to be constructive at the same time. Our underlying theme is promoting small businesses and spreading positive vibes,” says AG.
As for the future? AG and Aleana plan on continuing to highlight small businesses in Auckland’s food scene. “We’d like to travel a little bit more… highlight more Auckland hospitality venues… and showcase chefs and personalities behind the kitchen.”
SAVE THE DATE: PH Independence Day Commemoration, 7th June 2025 at the Auckland Showgrounds. 10am-6pm. Free Entry. Lots of parking.
To celebrate the spirit of the Filipino, the event features: HUNDREDS of traditional food and drink options, including classic favourites like Halo Halo, Taho, Kwek Kwek, Chicken Inasaal, Adobo, Lechon, Batchoy and much more!
https://www.fiestapilipinas.nz/
