Modern Maori Eatery Puha & Pakeha Finds a Permanent Home in Grey Lynn

Serving modern Māori fusion kai at weekend markets and food truck gatherings since 2014, Pūhā & Pākehā has found a permanent home in Grey Lynn's old Surrey Dairy.

Established by husband and wife team Jarrad and Belinda Mckay, the eatery's kaupapa is to bring native New Zealand ingredients to the forefront via Māori-inspired dishes. The two home cooks says as their business grew in popularity, it became evident they needed a permanent base for customers to find their menu favourites.

Diners can expect some of the most popular dishes from the caravan at the new opening, such as tua tua fritters with kina chilli chive mayo, kūmara and coconut bites, and the popular Aotearoa reuben sandwich.

New creations to enjoy in the space along Surrey Crescent include piko piko and edamame bites with kawakawa tahini dressing, a hāpuku raw fish salad, and a milkshake selection featuring flavours like Marmite and chocolate, strawberry and horopito and pōhutukawa caramel. Those with a sweet tooth can also expect desserts including a kawakawa meringue, rēwena bread trifle and a fried bread ice cream sandwich with mānuka caramel sauce.

Tipped as a fast-casual eatery, the Pūhā & Pākehā space blends native timber and plants with pieces of Māori and retro Kiwiana art to capture a modern New Zealand theme. A guitar will always be within arm's reach to encourage a waiata. Sustainability is also a key focus; the eatery's furniture has been made or up-cycled and every dish is served in compostable packaging.

Moving to the Grey Lynn premises also gives Pūhā & Pākehā a larger production kitchen to keep up with the growing catering side of their business. The caravan will remain a fixture at local markets and events around Auckland, and will make itself at home in the outdoor area when not at an event.

Pūhā & Pākehā is open at 108 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Wednesday to Saturday, 5pm-9pm and
Sunday, 3pm-7pm. For more information, visit puhaandpakeha.co.nz.

Images: Genie De Wit.