Food for thought

Indian-born Logan Park High School international prefect Lokesh Menariya holds a plate of pakoras, spicy Indian vegetarian delicacies that proved popular at the school's International Food Festival yesterday.

The year 13 pupil had been hard at work at home on Sunday, preparing 250 deep-fried pakoras for the festival, which featured food from many nations, including China, Japan, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as hangi food from New Zealand.

Co-principal Kristan Mouat said the festival also reflected a growing interest among pupils in vegetarian and vegan foods.

The "fantastic" annual festival had sparked excitement among pupils, and was "a more positive way of focusing on mental health".

This was the first in a series of school activities run as part of Youth Week, and Mental Health Awareness Week, she said.