Our stories
Our Recovery and Families services are confidential and the privacy and safety of the people we partner are our highest priority. This section will cover our programmes and groups and our journey as we expereince them together.
All Pou Whakaaro services are now operating from 1 Bracken Street, Whakatane.
Pou Whakaaro provides support to people with disabilities, mental health issues, and/or addictions to achieve their goals, gain independence and inclusion within their chosen community.
Our beginning
​When Pou Whakaaro was looking at ways to support people who were interested in running their own micro business, an unused commercial kitchen was a serious asset.
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What evolved is a great community cafe and gallery where a number of people run micro businesses producing food and coffee for sale.
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​When Pou Whakaaro was looking at ways to support people who were interested in running their own micro business, an unused commercial kitchen was a serious asset.
​
What evolved is a great community cafe and gallery where a number of people run micro businesses producing food and coffee for sale.
“Every disability conceals a vocation, if only we can find it, which will ‘turn the necessity to glorious gain.”
– C.S. LEWIS, WRITER
What we do
The café strengthens employment opportunities for those involved, as they are gaining real skills, such as barista, kitchen and cleaning skills, as well as customer service and cash handling.
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The community café and gallery is open every weekday to the general public from 8.30am to 2.00pm.
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There are jams, pickles, coffee, soups and sandwiches , and then there's our spectacular sausage rolls, which are the best in town.
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We are really proud of all those who are taking part – and pretty happy with the coffee and the food too!
Our stories
The Our Stories are collection of personal stories about gaining work experience, employment, and independence through the V.W. cafe.
The café is currently being run by Gordon, Thomas and Debbie.
Debbie has been making some delicious biscuits & food for sale in the cafe. Her Peanut Brownies are something special.
Gordon and Thomas are our fantastic Barista's who create beverages of all kinds, along with tasty sandwiches, pies and other divine food treats and don't forget our famous Sausage Rolls
We have recently developed our new logo for the cafe and are also working on a new paint design .
Watch this space?
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We have had a few changes in the decor and outside courtyard area and are really pleased with how it looks.
We still have a few things to carry on with but we hope you enjoy our efforts.
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We are also very please to announce that Michael is producing his ZEST jams, jellies and condiments again. These are for sale in the cafe.
Plum Sauce (Delicious with meatballs)
Lemon Honey
Raspberry Jam
Guava Jelly
Double Shot Strawberry Jam
Blueberry Jam (Divine on scones with cream)
Orange Marmalade
Beetroot Relish (on a burger-yum)
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New products selling in the V.W Cafe - Ako Maui by Michael Buckley.
Beautiful recycled chopping/ serving/ or cheese boards, made here on site in the Workshop.
These boards are beautifully crafted and oiled with food safe wax to create a gorgeous finish.
They would make a wonderful gift on their own but would be even better paired with some condiments made by Michael Pulis which are also for sale in the cafe.
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