Through tough times and good, Oz’s Bakery has been a constant in Ōtaki for the past 42 years. Baker Osmond Pidduck set up shop in the mid-1980s after learning the bakery trade at the big hot bread shop on the highway at Paraparaumu. As a young boy his father would bring him up to Ōtaki and he would stay with his Uncle Mick and Auntie Ra... Keep Reading
Alice Blackburne is the kind of person who just makes things happen. She’s an experienced chef who spent six years working overseas – mostly in Melbourne, but also in London. While she was in London, working at the fine dining restaurant Spring, she had the chance to learn the art of making sourdough. Fast forward a bit, and Covid-19... Keep Reading
When Graham Carthew started his small veterinary practice on Mill Road in 1974, little would he have thought those small beginnings would evolve into the multidisciplinary Vets on Riverbank. With Graham having retired in 2017, a new breed of vets is fulfilling the needs of equestrians, farmers, lifestyle blockers and pet lovers. Under the... Keep Reading
Dave Eastwood has an interesting history for a man who’s an expert in fixing small machinery. He now operates Matai Mower Repairs on Riverbank Road servicing and selling lawn mowers, trimmers, chainsaws and the like, but he started his working life as an telecommunications engineer. He was for several years a telecommunications engineer... Keep Reading
Gary Porter is not the archetypal brash tradie. Quietly spoken, Gary projects a thoughtful demeanor that has no doubt helped him and wife Zara build a successful scaffolding business in Ōtaki. He says that as a local he cares about his family, his staff, and his business – pretty well in that order, no matter the economic or social... Keep Reading
Family businesses tend to have longevity, fueled by a desire to continue traditions based on good relationships with clients and the community. So it is with Ōtaki’s Mac Engineering, which has been in the McMurchie family for 40 years. It’s now run by Regan, who at only 33 still has some time to catch up on his father, John, who... Keep Reading
SO WE’RE at Alert Level 3. For anyone who’s rushed out to get their first coffee fix for more than a month, or to get the paint they ran out of during lockdown, this is clearly not back to normal. For retailers and other businesses, this is a time of huge uncertainty. Will the initial rush of people buying after lockdown continue, and. Keep Reading
Ōtaki’s railway precinct is set to experience a little bit of New York and Italy with Antonio’s, a new pizzeria opening soon on Arthur Street. The pizzeria is on the site of the former Traffic Cafe, which has been vacant for several years. Antonio’s owner Murray McKenzie says he’s looking forward to bringing an... Keep Reading
The newest motel in town, Littel Ōtaki, is a cool little place that’s big on comfort, style and convenience. Located on the old Railway Bowling Club grounds in Dunstan Street, Littel Ōtaki is everything a travelling business person or family would want in a motel. The style is evident, from the colourful etchings on the roadside wall... Keep Reading
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