“It’s Not Just a Café - It’s Life” – Michelle’s story:

"I grew up here, at Square Edge, surrounded by music, drama, and this incredible creative energy. It was the ‘70s and ‘80s - everything was alternative. Social movements were huge. I remember the Springbok demonstrations, walking with my mum in the protests. Some parents got babysitters, but not mine. She thought I needed to learn about these things. And I did.

That sense of community, of connection, is what shaped me. It’s why I opened this café. I want it to be more than just a place to eat. It’s a space where people feel like they belong, where they can connect. If someone comes in and moves the furniture around to suit them, that’s exactly what I want. It’s their space too.”

“My love for food started early. My second birthday, Mum asked me what I wanted to do, and I said, ‘Go to Granny’s,’ this little restaurant with a cartoon chef on the sign. I was obsessed. I even snuck into the kitchen to see if the chefs really wore those big hats.

By the time I was six, I wanted my ears pierced. Mum said, ‘When you can afford it.’ So, I sold my bike, got my ears pierced, and came home like it was no big deal. At 11, I lied about my age to get my first job (the legal age was 14) and I began working at the Ilawara Cat Hotel in Roy St. Every dollar I earned there went toward courses, learning to make chocolates through the shop in Broadtop mall. I also used my wages to buy supplies so I could keep experimenting at home. I’ve always been passionate about food, and that passion has only grown over the years. Cooking has always been my thing.

My granddad was a big influence. He taught me to cook Irish stew properly - ‘If you’re going to do something, you do it properly,’ he’d say. He was so patient. I’d slam the door, and he’d make me open and close it 100 times, nicely. He also caught me sneaking out of the house once. I thought I was so clever, climbing out the window. He just stood in the paddock and said, ‘That was good, darling. Now, can you get back up?’

Cooking was always about more than food. It was about creating something meaningful for the people you’re feeding. I try to bring that same spirit to my café. This café is about more than just food. It’s about people. I had a woman come in once, nervous because she didn’t think I’d understand her. She’d escaped from Afghanistan with her kids, right before the borders closed. She had no money, didn’t speak much English, and yet she was so humble. She’d already climbed mountains, but she felt like she had to prove herself. Those are the kinds of stories that stick with you. I love feeding people. I love learning about their cultures, how they cook at home. It’s fascinating, and it reminds me why I do this. Hospitality isn’t just a word; it’s a way of life. It’s how you treat people, how you make them feel. That’s what I try to do here.

If I could tell the world one thing, it’d be: Stop it. Just stop. Have a conversation. Think about what you’re doing to people before you do it. Maybe ask if they need a hand instead. Life just goes by so fast.

Also, let’s celebrate what’s real. I want to see the authenticity of New Zealand in our food. No chemicals, no shortcuts. Just real, honest food that connects people.

Come and try us. You’ll get great food, real coffee - Rodney’s amazing at that - and a place where you can feel at home. This isn’t just a café; it’s a little piece of my life, a part of our city, and a connection point for our community. I’d love to share it with you.”

Michelle behind the counter at Awhi Cafe