Get it S.I.S

Creating sumptuous, infused soul-kai every day for mahi is one of Whais proudest achievements. With a passion for kai and a tendency to find herself in the kitchen at whānau events, Whai decided to chase her dreams of creating her own kai and catering to people as a career.

Completing a professional culinary course in Te Waipounamu, Whai was not to only ready to start creating kai, but she wanted to be in charge of her very own pakihi. In 2021 Whai joined Kurawaka, the Tipu Ake Tonu female Māori business programme.

Whai came into Kurawaka with her pakihi ideas firing. Each week she filled the room and captured her fellow tauira with her business pitch, and each week Whai's pitch would improve. As she learnt more about running a pakihi, her ideas progressively turned into attainable goals. “Kurawaka helped me to actually take my ideas and put it into something. It’s a good place to rejuvenate your wairua as a mana wahine, grounding, humbling, and pushing you to where you need to be.”

After graduating Kurawaka Whai decided to further her skills and received a scholarship for Ka Hao i Te Ao, improving her e-commerce skills from an indigenous perspective. While Kurawaka helped build the foundations of her business plan, Ka Hao helped Whai to further refine and establish her business plan.

Whai has since launched her pakihi ‘Get it S.I.S InDIGIness’ where she creates delicious, indigenous infused kai for all. Whai is also currently a chef at Hukarere School Girls College and runs Get it S.I.S on the weekends. “I get to do what I love every day, creating kai and leading people towards healthy eating.” She aims to open her own café and franchise the Get it S.I.S experience in the future as well as provide basic cooking classes for high school students. “It’s been a long journey but well worth it."