Ko wai mātou? | WHO ARE WE?
“Manaaki” is derived from the word Manaakitanga, which encompasses hospitality, kindness, support, and service to look after others.
Our business operates with these VALUES, from staff employment to venue management contracts and food and beverage outlets.
Our company's VISION is to be an outstanding Māori & Pacific Business;
which means to employ our own people where we can;
to portray our cultures in a positive light;
uplift our own;
to have those who come to work with us leave in a better place;
whilst delivering a professional,
caring, service environment, for all our customers.
Our PURPOSE is to provide an inviting and professional venue, and food & beverage service that leaves our customers satisfied and content.
We are here to “serve” in a warm friendly manner every person we come into contact with, whether that be customers or peers.
Manaaki currently manages three separate venues, with a total of 7 rooms/spaces for hire.
We manage these venues on behalf of the owners of each premise and oversee all services such as facility management, bookings, and food and beverage services.
Manaaki markets these venues under the “Wellington Functions” umbrella to market more venues in the future.
The “face” of our business first and foremost is Karaka Café.
Our Café is named after the Karaka Grove on the Harbour side of the premise by the late Kaumatua Sam Jackson.
It is said that Māori bought the karaka seed on waka as they travelled to settle in Aotearoa, enabling them to harvest the karaka (orange) fruit.
The Karaka grove brings with it, a connection to the history and story of our ancestors.
The Wharewaka Building was a long-time dream of the Taranaki whānui to have a footprint on the Wellington waterfront.
“THIS IS WHAT WE CALL THE “KARAKA EXPERIENCE”
SIGHT
Contemporary Māori art work throughout the venue. Bilingual menus, Māori designs and whakatauki/sayings are prominent.
SOUND
Our background music has a playlist of Māori & Pacific waiata, through to our live artists over the summer season. You can hear Te Reo Māori being spoken in the whare ia rā, ia rā (everyday)
TASTE
Māori infused flavours in our kai traditional foods, meet modern cooking methods. “Arrive as customers, become friends, leave as whānau"