INTERVIEW

Brookby Barn –

COMMUNITY HUB, RURAL HAVEN

It was 2008 when Chris and Monya Van Wyk arrived in New Zealand from South Africa. Thirteen years, and two children later, the couple realised their dream of purchasing rural land. Now, 12 months on, HELEN PERRY has learned they are fulfilling their vision of creating a café, retail space and community hub.

Just prior to Christmas 2020, Chris and Monya Van Wyk pulled together a series of festive markets all within a vast barn on their eight hectare property at Brookby.

With no family nearby, it took the efforts of friends and their local community to help renovate the old barn in just six weeks and then set up the markets which proved to be a huge success.

Colourful, innovative and well designed, they included a delicatessen, crafts, décor items, produce, gifts galore, art and even a children’s market where youngsters sold their pre-loved toys, jewellery and other craft work, baking, books and more. we decided to take the concept a few steps further,” Monya says.

Now the community-focused family has set up a country café in the barn complemented by retail and exhibition bays, function space for special events and a children’s petting zoo (open at weekends).

“People today are always busy and quality family life is sometimes sacrificed. We wanted to generate a place where families (and individuals) can come to relax, shop and enjoy our rural setting, hence the idea of a rustic café where we will serve breakfast and lunches with beautiful desserts and deli items also available.”

And, it’s all looking very much like she envisioned although Monya says there is still work to do. However, there was a time when any thoughts of this kind of project were nowhere in the making.

“Although we both come from farming backgrounds and always wanted to buy rural, it didn’t seem this would be possible. Then, by chance, we learned that one of Chris’ customers was retiring and selling his Brookby property.

“When we viewed it, Chris just said, ‘were buying it!’ and, amazingly our offer was accepted. More incredible because we couldn’t even get into the barn as it was tenanted so we didn’t see what work was involved until we actually moved in.”

With Chris, the owner of a company specialising in portable houses, he had no problems visualising and starting work on changes.

Photos Wayne Martin

“But it was the efforts of friends and the local community which really helped us bring it all together,” Monya explains. “We didn’t know anyone in this area but soon locals were offering to help and turning out for working bees.”

And, it was the caring attitude of ‘neighbours’ from across rural surrounds which especially warmed her heart — even made her teary.

“For example, when one of our special calves became ill, we had few clues how to treat her. Although we’d come from farming families in South Africa, it was very different there.

“In despair, I asked for suggestions via the local grapevine. Within no time I had advice and offers of help pouring in from everywhere. Busy farmers came and gave us a hand to establish lifting equipment and a routine to help the calf’s recovery.

“I was overwhelmed by their concern and generosity and this inspired us even more in our idea of creating a permanent café and market.”

Coming from a long career in marketing, Monya well knows how to set up appealing spaces which attract the eye.

Her Christmas markets received glowing comments from visitors with scores of photographs a testament to her designer approach. Manukau and Hunters Plaza at Papatoetoe, she still does some freelance work but says, for now her focus is on the café project and its ‘add-ons’.

“So far, the petting zoo set up for little ones has two miniature donkeys, several cows, sheep, ducks, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl. We also have kuni kuni pigs but no goats, they can be very naughty.

“Because we are dog lovers and have two dogs of our own plus a regular ‘visitor’ — Brutus and Lily, our own Labradors and a golden retriever, Bella — we will have a dog station so visitors can bring their canine pets with them.” opening, Monya says Brookby Barn will operate Wednesdays to Sundays, 8.30am — 2pm.

“The retail space is looking great with local artisans and crafters offering unique, boutique-style products such as homewares, old school jars, jewellery, raincoats, shoes, pottery and ceramics, glassware, handmade chocolates, baby items and natural organic drinks to name a few,” she says.

“Of course, the café is fully operational too and we will have the loft available for B&B style accommodation soon. Now, we are excited about welcoming, meeting and being a support to locals and east Auckland newcomers. We see Brookby Barn as both a community hub and a rural escape for those living in suburbia.”