The Kai Kart started its life in the small town of Gore, Southland in the 1970s.  It was a purpose built "Pie Cart". 

Pie Carts were common in the small towns of New Zealand in the 1940s and '50s and provided hot food to hungry diners at all hours - perhaps leading the way for today's fast food establishments.  They were usually mobile caravans, pulled along by a tractor.

Sadly Pie Carts are an endangered species now, but the Gore Pie Cart was so fondly thought of that it was lovingly restored. 

Now owned and operated by Hilli Maas-Barrett, the Kai Kart was renamed both as a tribute to its history and because kai is the Maori word for 'food'.