Coffee Island Launches At Māngere Arts Centre

Saturday, 22 February 2025, 4:30 pm
Article: Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter

Coffee is brewing with a unique island flavour as two best friends open their new café at the Māngere Arts Centre this weekend.

Coffee Island officially opens today, fulfilling a long-held dream for Māngere locals Jeremy Toka and Lote Fakatava.

“It's just a space where we can bring our skills and experience into Māngere, we're both in [the] hospitality background. We saw the opportunity and we really wanted to take it and do something with the space,” Toka says.

“One of the things we want to do is bring good coffee into Māngere.”

Toka and Fakatava are of Cook Islands descent, and Fakatava also has Tongan heritage. They grew up in Māngere and attended school together, where influential teacher Katherine Wong introduced them to hospitality.

“We both went to Southern Cross. We went through our hospitality beginnings together,” Toka says.

“She kind of shaped a lot of our journey in our early years. It was good. I'd say that a lot of credit would go to her - definitely - to get us to a point where we needed to be post-high school,” Fakatava says.

Excitement is palpable as they prepare for their opening.

“I think for us, it's been something that's been in the pipeline, something that we've wanted to do for quite a long time now. And so to really kick off and get started, yeah, it's exciting,” Fakatava says.

“We've got already established relationships in there already. So, it's going to be fun to work alongside them which is exciting, “he says.

Quality coffee is a top priority for Coffee Island, which has invested in a La Marzocco coffee machine - often called the Rolls Royce of coffee machines.

“That was our biggest purchase. Like I said, we'll start with a good coffee machine. Then we'll get some good beans and then train our staff how to make good coffee.”

With over a decade of experience running cafés, Toka brings extensive knowledge, while Fakatava adds his expertise as a chef. Both are passionate about giving back to their community.

“We really wanted to give back because we were both in positions where we [are] later in our careers. I'm doing a lot of stuff in Central, but I'm doing nothing here in my own backyard. So this was a really good opportunity for us to be like, ‘Hey, let's do something in our own community’,” Toka says.

“There's lots we want to do in this space, like giving students from our local schools the opportunity to gain work experience - baristas, customer service, some food skills. We also know these things ourselves, so we can teach. It’s a really good starting point. And I guess if we had that growing up…”

Fakatava adds, "When I was going to school, there was nothing really local that provided, I guess, something for students at the time to gain experience or just give them a platform to go on to do bigger things in hospitality.”

Their local roots also played a massive role in embracing this opportunity. “When the crew there at the Arts Centre approached us to look into things like that, we 100 per cent jumped at it,” Fakatava says.

“I know that I would have loved it if there was something for me to go to, to gain a bit of experience while I was at school that was local, as opposed to having to go into central Auckland, to the bigger city.

“I felt like a real big pull to be able to go that way. I guess just to offer that space to not only students, but to our community. And like Jeremy said, a space where our local people can come and have some real good coffee, because he's quite good at what he does."

While coffee and beverages will take centre stage, a small food menu will also be available and may grow over time.

"In terms of food, we understand that we're in a space where there's tons of good food around, especially in our community. Even us - like, we grew up going to the Māngere Town Centre for food. Like, Jolly Goods is in there. I don’t know how many weekends I spent eating chicken and chips as a kid.

“Our focus is to bring something that you can remember. And if really good coffee and beverages is that thing, then, you know, because we're 100 per cent not looking to reinvent the wheel.

“We understand that the local community probably already goes to their favourite places in and around that Māngere Town Centre area. But I think what we can do is really good coffee, really good beverages, you know, with a side of a few good snacks and coffee, like cabinet things and stuff like that."

Being part of the South Auckland community, their Pacific heritage influences their hospitality approach. They strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

"For me personally, especially being out south, being in our home, it gives a sense of pride. … it's support - supporting my whanau, and so it's food. It's the same with us. I know for Jeremy as well, that sense of pride, belonging, memories - everything that shaped who we are.

“Growing up out south, being Tongan, being Cook Island, putting that love into our food, into our passion, and just seeing where we can be of service to the community out there in Māngere,” Fakatava says.

Toka adds, “Our heart is not to be competition. We don't want to reinvent the wheel and sell Pacific food. We already have great places outside in the town centre that do that.

"And we don't want to be competition to that. We want to add to this space. So, we want to bring something different, but not take away from our other businesses.”

He envisions the café as a place where the community can feel comfortable and relaxed.

“I'm going to put a few couches here and some tables. Not just a normal cafe that you go to, have your coffee and then leave.

“I really want to create a space where people are comfortable to enjoy the space. I guess but not live here,” he laughs. “[but] carry on when you're finished.”

“That's what I want us to be known for. Good coffee and a good space.”

Alf Filipaina, the Manukau ward councillor, looks forward to trying the coffee. “Congratulations to the two friends who are bringing something unique to the Māngere area, based at the Māngere Arts Centre and it's all about their coffee.”

“I will definitely make time to go and try out one of their coffees,” he says, adding that he is old school and enjoys instant coffee but is open to exploring new options.

“Because they're there and they're doing a good service for the community and for those that go to the art centre to watch shows and perform, I will ask them which is the best one for me to try.”

Coffee Island opens at the Māngere Arts Centre on Saturday 22 February from 10am to 3pm.

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