Local toastie toast of the nation
A Rotorua café has topped the tables with New Zealand’s best toasted sandwich. Chef Rich Johns from Okere Falls Store, Cafe & Craft Beer Garden claimed the recent Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover title thanks to his ‘Figgy In The Middle’ creation.
“The inspiration came from a recent family trip to Italy,” he explained. “My son, who had only really eaten one kind of cheese, took to all the cheeses – fresh, aged, blue cheese, you name it. I thought if he likes all these flavours, then our customers and the judges might too.”
Featuring a pickle cheesecake mix, figs, various cheeses, honey, pickles and bacon, his latest award winner has been selling like hotcakes, with 1000 gobbled down by diners to date. This figgy favourite follows an example set by Rich’s 2022 winning sandwich, Get Smoked, Pickled + Toasted.
“We sold more than 10,000 toasties last time we won [and] we still get people asking for it even now,” Mr Johns adds. “Every year I’m so impressed and inspired by what everyone else is doing, but it’s great to know that people love what we do and that what we are doing is working.”
Call of DUTY – UBCO goes postal
Fresh from claiming a category win at the Good Design Awards, Tauranga-based UBCO’s electric DUTY motorbikes are set to deliver in service of Australia Post.
“This award and our partnership with Australia Post are a testament to the incredible work of our team,” UBCO’s CEO, Oliver Hutaff, asserts. “DUTY is a world-class product and has already captured significant market attention. With the growing demand for sustainable delivery solutions, we’re well-positioned and incredibly excited about our future.”
Honouring excellence in design and innovation, the recent award (claimed in Sydney) saw UBCO setting the pace with its latest workhorse.
Since UBCO first roared into view at Fieldays 2015 with a rural model, the company has jumped the ditch. A new fleet of 175 DUTYs answered Australia Post’s call recently and, all going well, many more could follow in their tracks. Discussions are also underway with other agencies including NZ Post.
“We have steadily been trialling electric fleet solutions since our humble beginnings a decade ago on a New Zealand farm,” Mr Oliver confirms. “We have developed a vehicle that meets the rigorous demands of high-use delivery… these bikes will be used on average six hours a day, five days a week, carrying heavy loads, showcasing UBCO’s extreme capabilities.”
Hire honours
Kennards Hire Mount Maunganui has lifted the Branch of the Year title at the company’s Quality of Management (QOM) Awards.
“I feel immensely privileged to be part of [an] amazing team,” branch manager, Taine Newland, said. “This award is all thanks to each and every one of them. They show up every day and focus on doing the best they can. They keep the customer front of mind in everything they do… treating everyone as part of the Kennards Hire family.”
The awards saw 28 Kiwi branches represented at Eden Park in Auckland recently where Mount Maunganui also claimed the Hire Centre Award category. No strangers to success, the team underwent a baptism of fire, opening in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Despite this, it became the first New Zealand branch to win the Kennards Hire Group Branch of the Year award in 2022, competing with more than 190 branches across Australasia.
Dedication, hard work and commitment to the highest standards led to the local team’s latest prize during a particularly challenging year for the building industry, the group’s New Zealand general manager, Tom Kimber, adds.
“This is another outstanding achievement that Taine Newland and his dedicated team should feel incredibly proud of.”
Pure success
Fans of The Mamas & the Papas may have been dreaming about California for decades now, but the dream has already arrived for two Papamoa-based sisters. From late August, the pair’s Pure Mama skincare brand has been making its mark on the lucrative American market, featuring in upmarket Erewhon stores.
“Our US launch marks an exciting new chapter for us as we continue to provide mothers with safe, effective, and luxurious skincare options,” co-founder Lara Henderson confirmed. “It’s been an incredible journey to get to this point, especially navigating the throws of start-up and starting a family.”
By going all the way to the USA, the business has extended far beyond its humble roots in a Papamoa garage in 2019.
Specifically designed for pregnant mothers, Pure Mama’s range is already a sell-out success through Australasian beauty giant MECCA, and by gaining fame among such celebrities as Kourtney Kardashian.
Products are also set to be available through such notable retailers as Nordstrom, Macy’s and Revolve, co-owner Yasmin Shepherd adds.
“We’re excited to partner with these prestigious retailers. Each one aligns perfectly with our brand values and mission to deliver quality skincare to mothers-to-be and new mothers everywhere.”
Charm of ‘lust not lost on local
Recently marking two decades in business, Wanderlust has faced some difficult times, owner Sarah Meadows recalls.
“When I took on the lease for Harbourside City Backpackers, I had no idea how to run a business [and] never dreamed I would still be here 20 years later,” she said.
“[Despite] the threat of the building being red stickered in 2019 due to the earthquake strengthening rules, we still wanted to keep the hostel alive, so we took a massive gamble and set about renovating this historic building right through the Covid pandemic.”
Now a five-star eco-friendly hostel, the business has hosted more than 200,000 since Sarah arrived as a “bright eyed 27-year-old.” During her time, she has raised the bar – while removing one! – with the help of a dedicated team.
“Over the years, there have been many changes – we upgraded everything, the bar is gone, I don’t live on site in the manager’s flat, then wear and tear set in – but the vibe is still there. Many incredible staff and amazing managers have helped us get to where we are today. We thank them for being part of our journey and couldn’t have done it without them.”
