When the opportunity arose to run a cafe in their neighbourhood, Jeremy Toka and Lote Fakatava didn’t hesitate to apply to become the new Māngere Arts Centre cafe operators.
Both Jeremy and Lote, alumni of Southern Cross Campus, have worked in the hospitality industry for many years. But they were excited for the chance to finally bring their expertise back to the community that raised them.
"When the opportunity came about, it was a chance to come home," Lote says.
"To give back the skills we've acquired over the years, create a space where we can harness those skills, and enhance and support our community."
An important part of establishing the cafe was contributing to the Māngere Town Centre without creating unnecessary competition.
"We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel but to provide good coffee and Island food. We just wanted to add to the Māngere Town Centre and Māngere as a whole," says Jeremy.
For Lote and Jeremy, offering high-quality coffee was a top priority.
"We wanted to create a space that serves great coffee," Lote states. "There’s definitely a need for it."
Jeremy also highlighted their vision of giving back by training local students for careers in hospitality.
"One of our goals is to bring students in for work experience so we can teach them about hospitality," he says.
"With our combined years in the industry, we have a lot to offer—from customer service to barista and chef skills."
Jeremy invites everyone to experience the cafe for themselves.
"Come have a coffee, try it yourself, and relax in this space. We created it for this community."
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