High hopes for hangi venture
If you’ve been hanging out for a hangi, the wait is over.
Queenstown charitable trust Mana Tahuna and Auckland-based Hāngī Master have joined forces and, from Thursday, have launched a pop-up, at Queenstown Airport, till next Friday.
The partnership, which symbolises a union of culture and culinary excellence, bringing the best of Maori traditions to locals and visitors, is the first step in establishing a permanent hangi pit in the Whakatipu.
Mana Tahuna tumu whakarae (CEO) Mike Rewi says it’s been "a long time coming".
"We’ve been trying to find a space for probably a year now.
"We’ve been talking to [the airport] for quite a while about it ... they’re pretty keen to support what we’re trying to do."
Hāngī Master Rewi Spraggon’s relocated his setup from Auckland’s Britomart to Queenstown — it comprises an engineered trailer, containing two hangi pits, and a truck beside it from which the food will be prepped and sold.
It means punters will be able to learn more about hangi, see how it’s made, and ask any questions they have, before tucking into the fare.
Rewi says all profits from the pop-up will go directly back into the services Mana Tahuna provides, while they’ve also got expansion plans.
They hope they’ll be able to establish themselves more permanently at the airport, while they’re also looking at a second site in the CBD, and potentially near Arrowtown, too.
They’re also building an off-site hangi pit, to be used for conferences, weddings, events and festivals.
Spraggon says they’ll be at Queenstown Airport daily from 5am till about 6pm from Thursday till next Friday.
