Kaitahi
When you think of smoothies - you think of noisy blenders, frozen ingredients getting stuck in the blade and having to clean up everything afterwards.
But what if you could make a smoothie in less than 1 minute WITHOUT the noise, the use of blenders or having to pull half the kitchen utensils out. What if it was as simple as putting it in a cup and walking out the door? Or easy enough for your toddler to make?! As well as ingredients being native plant foods, locally grown and sourced.
Kaitahi has made it that simple! And as a busy mum who is always on the go - I absolutely love how easy it is for our whanau, who has had kaitahi every day for the past 4 weeks. During these 4 weeks, we’ve had days that went from 6 am - 1 am; we’ve had illness and slept through alarms. So Kaitahi has been a huge win for us with their locally grown and sourced fruit and vegetables, snap-frozen into smoothie drops.
We’ve been lucky enough to connect and work with the amazing team of Kaitahi - and today, we’re fortunate to be able to share their story with you.
Who and what is Kaitahi?
Kaitahi - As Ngaa Raauru Kiitahi created one, its current main working group consists of 6 individuals, who are globally based. Three in Sydney, One in the United States, One in New Plymouth and One in Whanganui. Together, they work to make all the moving parts flow smoothly. Ensuring their team at the Kii Tahi nursery (another Ngaa Raauru investment) are on top of planting and harvesting, that the right ingredients are pre-blended and snap-frozen into droplets, ensuring their partner is delivering sales goals in-store and keeping on top of their marketing strategy to make sure people know about Kaitahi frozen smoothy drops. It's a huge process, and it most definitely takes a village.
They work well as a team because they all have the same dreams and aspirations for the company - the "Kaitahi effect" is definitely real.
How did Kaitahi begin?
Kaitahi - As One was created by Iwi, Ngaa Raauru Kiitahi from South Taranaki. Established in 2016, they launched their first product range, frozen superfood smoothy drops, in 2018. The first of its kind in New Zealand - pour Kaitahi smoothy drops and a liquid of your choice into a shaker and shake. Easy and delicious smoothies, ready in seconds, with no blender needed.
It originally started with the name, Smooju, but as time went on, the team honed in on their values, aspirations, and their "why". All the Iwi investments and businesses were created to nurture the land they live on, provide opportunities for our people, celebrate traditions, and cement their place in the modern economy. It only made sense to use a name that resonated with the team and their business goals. Kaitahi, in short, means to come together as one!
What challenges has Kaitahi overcome?
Kaitahi faces many challenges daily. The biggest one they’ve overcome is ensuring they have the right people fulfilling the right roles. Kaitahi smoothy drops were (and still are) the first of their kind in Aotearoa.
It was a fantastic business idea and a brilliant product. Its launch was bigger than initially expected, and solving those 'human' gaps, was a lesson the team learned early. A business is nothing without its people - everyone needs to be aligned and sharing the same goals for the company.
What has been Kaitahi proudest moment?
Kaitahi recently won the "Small Supplier" category of NZ Foodstarter's search for the Most Innovative Food and Beverage products in New Zealand. As winner's, the Kaitahi team will receive expert advice, guidance and funding to help scale their business. Aside from this, it was rewarding to know their hard work put in right from the beginning continues to be recognized and celebrated. Since the competition, increased awareness of the Kaitahi brand has allowed them to grow their network of like-minded businesses and individuals. It has also meant people actively go in-store to tautoko and purchase Kaitahi products.
What is your favourite part about your mahi?
We love knowing that we're providing opportunities for our local people, especially our future generations - our babies are our "why". We hope that Kaitahi will be a role model for other Iwi businesses and that our future generations can see opportunities in all levels of the business spectrum. They can be anything they want to be - whether it's working the land, pioneering new production processes or mastering new sales and marketing techniques. The world is their oyster.
Has Covid had any effect on Kaitahi?
Production-wise not so much but, it gave their team an opportunity to step back and take a hard look at their business model, what they were doing right, and where they could make improvements. It was an opportunity to reflect for everyone.
Five years from now, where does Kaitahi want to be?
Where do we begin? We'd love to be in 100% grocery stores/supermarkets across Aotearoa. We want to provide a subscription service, sell direct to customers, and deliver to their homes. That would be so flash!
We're also hoping that once these goals are achieved, that we can start to export too. We want everyone to know, not only about our frozen smoothy drops but about pūhā, kawakawa, kūmara and rewarewa honey. Our native Māori ingredients are so special to us, and we want to share them with the world!
Do you offer wholesale?
We're currently in stores across most major cities. Check out our stockist list to find some Kaitahi smoothy drops near you. We also sell our shakers and totes on our website too, and somehow, the smoothies taste so much better out of a Kaitahi shaker. No bias here.
We're currently exploring wholesale with cafes and restaurants. If you're interested, please contact us via email. We'd love to hear from you! (cc kiaora@kaitahi.co.nz if you have other questions too).
Kaitahi had convenience in mind for those who are busy and on the go - without skipping our daily needs of nutrients.
Pour, Shake, Drink - it’s never been easier to get your daily fix of fruit and vegetables with their 3 flavours - Super Green Zing, Kiwi C Boost and Triple Berry Protect. And their muffin and brownie recipes are another great way for the family to enjoy.
If you are keen to get your hands on some of this goodness or become a stockist, contact the Kaitahi team using the links below.
