Tāmaki Makaurau is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. When it comes to kai, this cultural richness provides us with endless cuisines and takeout options to explore. Do you have a regular takeaway night each week? Maybe you’ve even got a favorite spot where you’re known by name? 

Celebrate this year's Auckland Heritage Festival theme of kai with us as we host a discussion with Julie Zhu on her observational documentary series 'Takeout Kids'. 

Born in Xi’an, China and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, Julie Zhu is a filmmaker and storyteller committed to championing marginalised voices and stories. She has created both scripted and documentary content for a range of platforms in Aotearoa including Whakaata Māori, The Spinoff, TVNZ+, and RNZ.

Julie co-directed the podcast and docu-series Conversations With My Immigrant Parents for RNZ alongside Saraid de Silva. She also directed observational documentary series Takeout Kids for The Spinoff, winning Best Director at NZ WebFest 2022. She was one of the directors on anthology feature film Kāinga and her short film Lǎo Lao Lǎo Le won her Best Director and Best NZ Film at Show Me Shorts 2023 and Best Short Film at the Melbourne Women in Film Festival 2025.