Kiwi Kai
Reni Wereta-Gargiulo, Owner and Business Manager
Profile Update: March 2024
Humble beginnings and a love for Kai brought my father’s beautiful Raw Fish signature dish to the forefront of our Kiwi Kai business. Wind the clock another few years and Atutahi Natives is also an integral part of our business. Atutahi (my Koro) Natives now lead the way with our mahi.
Whilst our Kiwi Kai Seafood business is strong Atutahi Natives are alongside. We immerse our Native Rongoa throughout our kai with Native chutneys, Native Seafood Dukkha & Indigenous Kai moana. Also, super proud that Atutahi innovation awarded myself Māori Business Woman of the Year Award 2022, plus the Māori Business Innovation Award 2022!
~~//~~
Reni Wereta-Gargiulo (NZ DipBus) has a diverse background in marketing, promotion, business administration and tourism to mention a few. Entrepreneurial skills inherited from ancestors on her mother’s side (O’Carroll) coupled with her Maori values and heritage of Ngati Ruanui, Ngati Rarua and Te Atiawa on her father’s side are the strong foundation that drive her passion for business. These two lineages together and a love for seafood have developed Kiwi Kai.
Encapsulating 30 years of skills into a seafood business has been beneficial in securing strong relationships with core seafood suppliers, buyers and advisors. Reni’s marketing and promotional expertise has enabled the business to grow into retail, local markets, online sales and catering. Kiwi Kai catering is enjoyed by local business and many National and International groups from Government organisations, Maori Corporations, Cricket World Cup, Nelsons Sister city Huangshi guests and more.
Kaitiakitanga – Sustainability is very important to Kiwi Kai and it sits at the forefront of all decision making within the business. Reni is currently developing a new sustainability document for Kiwi Kai which will weave throughout the business.
Today Kiwi Kai offer a range of products and services with a kaupapa Maori influence through their indigenous fusion of kai for your palette.
Kiwi Kai Services
- Retail products
- Tikanga Maori Event planning
- Catering services
- Wholesale supply
Kiwi Kai Awards
- Winner “Best From The Water Section” FMNZ Awards 2016
- Winner “People’s Choice Award” Marlborough Wine & Food Festival 2015
- Highly Commended “Best From The Water Section” FMNZ Awards 2015
Contact details
M. 021 029 86209
T. 03 546 4400
E. info@kiwikainz.com
www.kiwikainz.com
By Donna Wells
FinestKind Limited
PO Box 5132, Nelson 7040,
New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 545 6964
Mobile: +64 27 243 1282
Email: donna@finestkind.co.nz
Web: www.finestkind.co.nz
More Women in Seafood
Leonie Noble – Woman in Seafood
Profile Update: 2025 This month we update with Leonie Noble, from WA. At the time of writing, Leonie is preparing for an overseas bucket list holiday with hubby and continues to actively contribute to the Australian Seafood Industry. Thanks so much for all your efforts, Leonie. Keep your star shining. Leonie’s career has been guided…
Renee Shields
Profile Update: 2025 Renee left Sealord Group in 2018, after holding positions in HR, Vessel Co-Ordinator and Fleet Harvest Manager to venture into her own business, Palm Boutique in Nelson from June 2018 to August 2022 After 5 successful years at the helm of retail store Palm Boutique, Renee sold the business to pursue her start-up company, Fundpay, as well as assisting in…
Jodie Kuntzsch
JODIE KUNTZSCH – UPDATE 2024 Like many in the seafood industry, my career path has been shaped by a deep-rooted passion for the ocean and a commitment to driving positive change in the way we interact with it. Over 20 years ago, I first arrived in New Zealand and into the world of fisheries and…
Reni Wereta-Gargiulo
Kiwi Kai Reni Wereta-Gargiulo, Owner and Business Manager Profile Update: March 2024 Humble beginnings and a love for Kai brought my father’s beautiful Raw Fish signature dish to the forefront of our Kiwi Kai business. Wind the clock another few years and Atutahi Natives is also an integral part of our business. Atutahi (my Koro)…
Rachel Taulelei
Rachel Taulelei (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rarua and Ngāti Koata), CEO Kono NZ Profile Update: March 2024 Rachel is well known to the seafood industry and it’s been some years since we updated her story! But for those new to this wahine, she is a prominent business leader and a strong advocate for…
Carol Scott
Southern Inshore Fisheries Management Company Limited Carol Scott, Chief Executive Profile Update: March 2024 Carol Scott is a Graduate of the University of Tasmania and the Australian Maritime College, having worked as a Vessel Operations Manager, Resource Manager, Fisheries Extension Officer, a Technical Officer and former Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) Director. Carol has 40 years’…
Christine Aston
Christine Aston 2024 Update It is now 8 years on since I wrote about my introduction to the fishing Industry, and much has changed for us. Back in 2012 we had brought a barge and started a part time business transporting vehicles, people and goods between French Pass and D’Urville Island, which took off in…
Diane Frost
Fishing Contract Services (commercial) Diane Frost 2024 UPDATE My involvement in the Seafood Industry is now a small role comprising some administrative and quota management work only. In 2008 I began studies and retrained as a social worker. I worked part time practicing social work alongside the fishing industry from 2011. I did continue having…
Nici Gibbs
Director, Fathom Consulting Ltd 2024 PROFILE UPDATE I’ve been involved in fisheries policy for over 25 years now and it’s interesting to look back and see what the fishing industry has been able to achieve and what we haven’t managed to do (yet). We’ve achieved a lot in terms of industry responsibility for fisheries management –…
Betty Pinkney – Fisher
Betty Pinkney (1936 – 2023) Updated 2024 With deepest respect, we advise that our lovely Betty passed away on 20 October 2023. Kohukohu won’t be the same. Betty passed away peacefully with all her family at her side. Thank you for all you did to serve this industry, Betty; to make a path which made…