What began as a personal struggle and a dream that felt out of reach has become Te Kaitao Auaha, a thriving bakery built on whānau, healing, hope, and the belief and support of Ngā Kete.
My name is Linda. I was born and raised in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), but I have strong roots in Ngāti Maniapoto and Rereahu. I’m a mum of five beautiful tamariki, and my life has always been centred around whānau and kai.
I trained in professional cookery through Wintec in Hamilton and have spent most of my working life as a chef and cook. I’ve worked in cafés, restaurants, pubs, schools, kōhanga reo, and community organisations. Cooking has always been my passion. I love feeding people and bringing whānau together through food.
Nine years ago, my whānau and I made the move to Southland looking for a fresh start and a better lifestyle. Just before we arrived, I was in a really dark place. My husband and I were struggling with drug addiction, and I knew I needed to change everything. I didn’t have a plan, other than wanting to get clean and start again.
That move changed my life.
We ended up on a five-acre block with animals, chickens, sheep, ponies, and slowly things began to shift. My husband also made changes in his life, and together we built something new. The environment, the space, and the distance from everything we knew helped us reset.
I’ve been clean ever since. We’ve created a peaceful life here, surrounded by our tamariki and whānau, and I feel very grateful for that change. The only thing I really miss is my whānau back home. I try to return at least once a year.
Over the years, I’ve also faced a lot of challenges from my past. I’ve been to jail, I’ve made mistakes, and I carry trauma from earlier parts of my life. Recently I realised I needed support not just for myself, but for my children and our wellbeing.
That’s when I reached out to Ngā Kete.
I was connected with a Pūrerehua Kaithuwhana, and we started working through my goals together. When she asked me what my dream was, I told her I wanted to start my own business. I had always wanted to start my own food business.
At the time, I honestly didn’t think it was possible. Because of my past and my credit history, I believed the doors were closed to me. The idea of applying for funding or grants felt overwhelming.
But here was someone who believed in me.
For the first time, I felt like there might actually be a pathway forward. That support changed everything for me. It gave me hope when I didn’t really have any left. I still don’t have the words to fully describe what that meant to me, but it was life changing.
From there, I started working towards making my dream real. It wasn’t easy. There were a lot of hurdles, a lot of paperwork, and a lot of stress. I did a lot of fundraising, market days, and whānau events to help raise the money I needed. My husband also supported me financially in a huge way.
Slowly, step by step, it all came together.
On 27 March, I opened Te Kaitao Auaha, my café and bakery in the South City Mall. The name means the creative chef, and that’s exactly what it is. It’s a space where I can bring together the flavours I grew up with and the memories of my childhood in the kitchen with my Nan and Koro.
Some of the recipes we use are straight from my upbringing. My Nan was always in the kitchen cooking and baking, and my Koro made the kind of meals that brought comfort. Mince and gravy, stews, mashed potatoes and vegetables. Those memories are now part of my business. We even name some of our pies after them, like Koro’s Mince Stew Pie and Nana’s Smoked Fish Pie.
When I make them, it takes me straight back to my childhood, the smells, the aroha, and the warmth of being in their kitchen.
Since opening, it’s been busy almost every day. I’ve only had one slow day. It’s been overwhelming in the best way. I do struggle a bit with the admin side of things, but I’m learning as I go.
My whānau are right there with me. My husband works here, my daughter makes all our desserts, and my friend helps with the kitchen and catering. It’s become a real whānau business, built on teamwork and aroha.
I’m also proud to be entering the pie awards this year, something I never thought I’d be doing!
Looking back, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be here without the support I received. Ngā Kete helped open the door, but I walked through it. The rest has been hard work, determination, and not giving up, even when things felt impossible.
Today, I feel as happy and settled as I could be. Even when things get stressful, I’m okay. This business represents everything I’ve come through. It’s my past, my healing, my whānau, and my future.
My dream became reality, and this is only the beginning.
