Modern Māori fusion restaurant Pūhā & Pākehā finds new Auckland home

Maori fusion food at Pūhā & Pākehā
A selection of the offerings at Pūhā & Pākehā. Photo credit: Supplied.

Purveyors of modern Māori fusion fare, Pūhā & Pākehā's new Grey Lynn eatery is offering diners a chance to enjoy a fresh take on traditional Māori kai.

The original Pūhā & Pākehā food truck was established in 2014 by husband and wife team, Jarrad and Belinda Mckay - two home cooks who say they're passionate about re-engaging New Zealanders with Māori kai.

Belinda says as their business grew in popularity, it became evident they needed a permanent base.

"The eatery's offering will be the same 'street food' that's been so well received in our caravan over the last few years, but customers will also now have a casual, relaxed space in which to enjoy that food," she says.

The eatery will offer some of the most popular dishes from the caravan, such as their tua tua fritters with kina chili chive mayo, kūmara and coconut bites, and the Aotearoa reuben sandwich.

It'll also feature some new creations, including piko piko and edamame bites with kawakawa tahini dressing, and a hāpuku raw fish salad.

Kawakawa meringue.
The Kawakawa meringue. Photo credit: Supplied.

For those with a sweet tooth, there will be desserts including a kawakawa meringue, rēwena bread trifle and fried bread ice cream sandwich with mānuka caramel sauce.

A marmite and chocolate milkshake will even make an appearance on the menu.

Jarrad says he and Belinda are looking forward to re-introducing more Kiwis to the country's native ingredients.

"Our kaupapa (vision) for the business has always been to engage people with Māori kai," he says.

"We feel that having this kai presented in new and modern ways in a warm, welcoming environment will do exactly that."

Belinda and Jarrad.
Belinda and Jarrad. Photo credit: Supplied.

Styled as a 'fast casual' eatery, Jarrad and Belinda also say sustainability is a focus for Pūhā & Pākehā. The eatery's furniture is all made or upcycled from second-hand materials and every dish - dine-in or takeaway - is served with a compostable plate, cup, cutlery or container.

Local music is also said to feature heavily and there's even a guitar on hand for customers to pick up and play.

More information can be found on the official Pūhā & Pākehā website.

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