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 is 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 and Thomas.
They have been making some delicious biscuits & food for sale in the cafe. The 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 been lucky to have Johanna Pettersson join our team as the new Kitchen Coordinator.
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.
If you are looking for a sunny little spot to have some great food and coffee, come down to the V.W. Cafe, we would love to see you.
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