Our Journey: From South Auckland to Taitoko

It all began back in 2015, when we were living in sunny South Auckland and craving the taste of a real “ground” hāngī - just like home. We weren’t keen on driving hours for a decent feed, so we searched high and low until we discovered a special cooker that delivered that smoky, earthy, comforting flavour we missed. With local support, we launched Hāhā Hangi.

By 2017, we’d grown beyond hāngī alone, adding other kai you’d normally find on a marae - like boil-up and steamed pudding - so we rebranded to The Wharekai. Our name reflects what we’re all about: a place where people come together to eat and connect.

At the end of 2017 we called it quits due to whānau commitments and our tamariki needing our time.

In 2023, we moved to Taitoko (Levin). After a year of settling in, our whānau asked us to do a few cooks, and so the hāngī bug caught us again.

When local iwi, Muaupoko Tribal Authority Inc, asked us to sell hāngī at the local Waitangi Event 2025 - we jumped at the opportunity!

We’re excited to share these delicious dishes with the community of Taitoko.

Through every step, we’ve stayed true to our roots - serving hearty, comforting meals and keeping culture alive, one plate at a time.

Come join us for a feed and taste the journey for yourself!