By Virginia Winder
A gleaming metal caravan beside Destination Play at Kāwaroa has extended Proof + Stock’s coffee business – and the skills of 17-year-old Sapphire Katene.
The shiny new addition belongs to Tane Morgan and Adrianna Greenhill, who, in 2017, transformed a Cutfield Rd garage into a hub for roasting beans and serving takeaway coffees. They now operate out of two garages.
“But I’ve always wanted to have a site here, even before Destination Play,” says Morgan (Te Atiawa). “There are always families around and it’s just a beautiful view and an awesome thing for the community and obviously a stone’s throw from our flagship store.”
If you stroll along Cutfield Rd towards the sea, then veer right at the Coastal Walkway, you’ll come upon the stainless-steel caravan with a welcoming name, Nau Mai Coffee.
The coffee shop on wheels is managed by Sapphire (Te Arawa), a Spotswood College student, cadet, and one of Morgan’s barista students.
Alongside roasting and serving coffee, for the past three years Morgan has been training about six to eight Māori barista students a year, with help from the Toi Foundation. That’s why the new caravan hits the spot.
“We just wanted to create another site for our baristas, where they can come and learn, get real-life skills,” says Morgan. “It’s another paid employment funnel for them.”
Katene began her barista training at Proof + Stock through the Gateway programme at Spotswood College. This year, she was offered a 26-week cadetship through He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki, the Māori Business Network.
Tetsu Garnett, the network’s kaiwhakahaere kaupapa (programme and event manager), said the cadet programme is aimed at pairing rangatahi (youth) with businesses to gain skills and employment.
“We’re grateful to Todd Energy, Toi Foundation, and Te Herū Mapara for backing initiatives that empower rangatahi and strengthen local enterprise,” she said.
“Kia Māui ai te mahi – we innovate, spot opportunities, and push boundaries, and my role is to connect these opportunities so Taranaki businesses and our young people thrive together.”
Morgan said he was approached by Tetsu about having a cadet. “She said, ‘look, do you have any diamonds amongst all of the diamonds you have produced?’ And Sapphire just stood out.”
“She has this calm, collected demeanour about herself.”
Greenhill emphasises the importance of giving rangatahi a chance to learn about making coffee, providing a transferable skill base.
“Her [commitment and work ethic are phenomenal,” she said
During her training, Sapphire learnt about roasting, making espresso-based coffees, origins of beans, the flavours – aroma, bitterness, body, sweetness and acidity – and customer service.
Morgan said the foreshore caravan is a way of giving back to the community, which has supported Proof & Stock from the start.
“All the families that come here deserve good quality coffee and service with a smile. All the mums doing the hard yards – a bit of a pick-me-up always helps.”
The caravan, polished to a mirror finish, is imported from China.
Morgan and a mate went to pick it up in Auckland. “We kind of assembled the wheels and axles and drove it home in the dead of the night. It was a bit of a sweaty trip, always looking in the rear vision mirror, making sure it was still intact. It all arrived safe and sound.”
He said a longer-term goal is to turn the cart concept into a turnkey model, supplying selected buyers with the Airstream, coffee machine, technical support and barista mentorship.
Meanwhile, Sapphire has her own dreams. “I love making coffee and the people, but what I’m hoping to do is architecture.”
To fine out more about the He Toronga Pakihi ki Taranaki and Todd Energy Cadetship program HTPKT Todd Energy Cadetship program.png
