Owners chew on new helping of CuzzieBro

Tanya Poipoi Davy wants to open a second CuzzieBro Burgers in Rotorua very soon. Photo / Ben Fraser

They've been open for little more than a week but already Rotorua's newest Maori-themed takeaway is eyeing opening another premises.

CuzzieBro Burgers opened on Old Taupo Rd at the West End Shopping Centre on January 21. The whanau-based business has a Maori twist with their menu featuring Maori and Rotorua-themed burger names, such as the Edor Edor Burger, Mean Maori Mean Burger, Hei Bro Burger and the Moko Burger.

Co-owner Tanya Poipoi Davy said they were hoping to open another CuzzieBro Burgers soon, possibly in the central city.

She said there were plenty of vacant buildings but it was a matter of finding the right one. The plans were moving swiftly with Mrs Davy inspecting a premises in the CBD just last week. She said once the business was established in Rotorua, they would start a franchise.

"It's going to outgrow this place [West End] so we're looking for something in town also."

The business employs four people - Mrs Davy, her two sisters and one other who are all foundation members of the business.

Mrs Davy came up with the idea of CuzzieBro Burgers last year. Her business partner from her other venture, Maori Kai Cuisine, started the process of trade marking the name for New Zealand and Australia. She then approached her siblings about a partnership.

"My sisters Kim and Huia Poipoi of Aunty Dors Enterprises jumped at the opportunity after talking to their partners Martin and Elsie Rakuraku."

The CuzzieBro name and logo is in honour of Mrs Davy's husband, Ashley Morrison Davy, who died last year.

"Ash was the favourite cuzzie bro, cuz, uncle, son, brother. Wherever he went he would say 'kia ora cuz' or 'chur cuz' and the cuzzies would return with 'chur Ash'."

She said her husband was known for making the best burger patty in the motu (region).

"When the cuzzies came over for a kai, he spent time making his burger on the barbecue. His recipe has become CuzzieBro Burgers' signature patty."

Mrs Davy said her whanau had been in the food business for many years, with her parents, Te Iharaira and Aroha Poipoi, owning and operating marae visits at Rongomaipapa Marae and Waiteti Marae, Tudor Towers and and Keets Cafe.

"Mum's brother, Wi Wharekura, the only surviving member of the original Howard Morrison quartet, oversaw the running of Tudor Towers. He made sure we served and treated all visitors with respect and excellent hospitality, and fast."

In 2001, Mrs Davy's parents started selling toasted rewena sandwiches at the local flea market which has inspired the CuzzieBro Burgers' buns, called porotaka buns.

Mrs Davy said it was important for them to align common Kiwiana names with the CuzzieBro culture, as well as introduce te reo Maori words.

She said that since opening, many locals had been offering suggestions for more Rotorua-themed burgers.