New name heralds new dining experience at Novotel

Restaurant refresh better reflects the Māori partnership and kaupapa behind the business.

The eatery is now called ‘Haukai’, meaning ‘the feast placed before you’ and offers a bistro-style type of dining to customers.

“The partnership had always intended to rebrand the look and feel of the hotel to reflect our values and te ao Māori since we purchased the property,” says Warwick Tauwhare-George, Chair Ngāmotu Hotels Ltd and CEO of PKW. “The new name is an exciting way of doing this.”

The Ngāmotu Hotel Ltd joint venture between three Taranaki Māori entities - Parininihi Ki Waitōtara Incorporation (PKW Inc), Te Atiawa Iwi Holdings (TAIH) and Taranaki Iwi Holdings (TIH) - was formed in December 2018.

The hotel name has also been changed to Novotel Ngāmotu Taranaki, along with a refresh of internal signage and decor to bring a more Māori tikanga influence to the hotel’s customer experience, with the use of te reo Māori a priority.

“Ensuring that we celebrate who we are as a Māori organisation is not only important from a cultural perspective, but also from a business viewpoint,” says Warwick.

“We are keen to bring a point of difference to our hotel offering to help our customers enjoy coming to the hotel, either for a one- or two-night stay, a holiday week or just an evening meal at Haukai.” The switch to a bistro-style restaurant has seen a new menu offering and a more relaxed and casual atmosphere which has been a hit with customers.

“The industry is seeing more demand from consumers for this type of eating experience and, in the post-COVID-19 entertainment market, this is a prudent move,” says Warwick. “It is pleasing seeing people and their families in the new restaurant, enjoying themselves.”

After being temporarily closed during the Alert Level 4 lockdown pandemic response, the hotel responded strongly with a return to previous occupancy numbers and the partnership is cautiously optimistic about the financial year to come.

“2020 was a tough year for the business,” acknowledges Warwick. “But General Manager Jayesh Bala and his kaimahi (staff) showed determination and resilience and did a great job responding to the dynamic ever-changing situation, then re-opening the doors as soon as they could.”

“With New Zealand maintaining its COVID-19 free status, domestic travellers are now embracing the opportunity to explore their own backyard.”

“We are welcoming them with open arms and our focus is firmly on the future.”