A Kawhe Shop with Mana, Mātauranga, and a Love for the Taiao

In celebration of Te Wiki o TeReo Māori, we’re highlighting pakihi that are doing incredible mahi to integrate Te Reo Māori into their day-to-day operations. Kawhe Coffee Shop is a standout, with manaakitanga, sustainability, and community at the heart of everything they do.

Meet Sioux-Dana Pureau (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa), the Director of Kawhe Coffee Shop. With a deep commitment to her Māori heritage and a vision to inspire the next generation of Māori and Pasifika entrepreneurs, Sioux-Dana leads Kawhe with a focus on integrating te Reo Māori into everyday interactions and promoting sustainable practices that take care of Papatūānuku.

At Kawhe Coffee Shop, the heart of our mission is not just to serve great coffee but to inspire our Māori and Pasifika communities through sustainable business practices and the celebration of our cultures. As the Director of Kawhe, I oversee daily operations alongside my partner in mahi, ensuring that every cup of coffee we serve reflects our values and aspirations.

‍A Commitment to Sustainability and the Environment

Our passion for sustainability runs deep at Kawhe. We prioritize environmental stewardship by using organic products, including our premium coffee beans, and compostable cups and lids. This conscious choice reduces our impact on the whenua and aligns with our broader mission to honour and protect the environment.

Looking ahead, we are excited to expand our sustainability efforts by supporting bee populations, which play a crucial role in our ecosystem. We plan to produce Mānuka honey and infuse it into our coffee beans, creating a unique blend that celebrates our land and its resources. Our goal is to roast and distribute these special coffee beans nationwide, with hopes of expanding into international markets. By integrating our products with environmental care, we aim to create a positive impact far beyond our coffee shop doors.

‍Embracing Te Reo Māori in Our Daily Operations

As a business grounded in Te Ao Māori, we recognise the importance of fostering a welcoming environment where our language and traditions can thrive. One of the ways we encourage this is by offering customers a $1 discount on coffee orders placed in Te Reo Māori. This small but impactful initiative is our way of promoting and preserving our language within the community. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and it fills us with pride to see our customers engage with Te Reo Māori.

Personally, I am committed to deepening my knowledge of te Reo Māori through ongoing education. I am currently studying Papa Reo in my free time, which is helping me reconnect with my roots and bring more of our beautiful language into our business. This journey is not just for me but for our whānau, staff, and customers, as we strive to make Kawhe a space where culture and commerce coexist harmoniously.

‍Inspiring Māori and Pasifika into Business

Kawhe Coffee Shop was re-established with a clear purpose - to inspire Māori and Pasifika into entrepreneurship. We believe in laying the groundwork for others to work for themselves, achieve their own success, and feel empowered in their business journey. We want to be a living example that success is possible and that our unique cultural perspectives add value to the business world.

‍Balancing Whānau, Business, and Passion

Outside of my role at Kawhe, I am deeply committed to my immediate whānau. With two tamariki and a partner, my priority is to create a balanced life that allows me to spend quality time with my whānau, enjoy outdoor activities like camping and motorbiking, and relaxing at the beach with close friends. Maintaining this balance is essential, as it grounds me and fuels my passion for the work we do at Kawhe.

‍Advice for Whānau Entering the Hospitality Industry

To whānau looking to enter the hospitality industry, my biggest piece of advice is to build and maintain supportive connections within the hospo community. Be prepared, stay focused, and ensure that your staff can consistently deliver high-quality service without being overly reliant on you. This approach will help you maintain your own well-being while building your business and creating a sustainable path to success.

At Kawhe Coffee Shop, our journey is just beginning. We are excited about the future, our plans for global expansion through franchising, and our ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability and te Reo Māori. Ngā mihi nui  for your support, and we look forward to welcoming you to Kawhe Coffee Shop soon!

Click here to find our more about Kawhe Coffee Shop

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