Fresh local link in chain of India's spice delights

Kiwi Vege & Grocery is a new kid on the general-store block for Wanganui.

It sells a similar range to a Moshims or a Bin Inn and Wanganui is the fifth store in a chain that started in New Plymouth.

The Wanganui store opened in Ridgway St, in the large building beside the former post office, in the second week of April, manager Manpreet Singh said.

It stocks mostly Indian products - spices, hair oil, sweets made in Wanganui by Satish Chand, and a range of fruit and vegetables. Bread and milk is also available for the casual shopper, plus a range of frozen products.

One of the popular sellers is kava, a brown, powdery substance weighed out into bags. But Mr Singh is keen to know what else people would like the shop to stock.

Some products come direct from India and others from Fiji. The fruit and vegetables come from Hastings and Laugesen Gardens in Wanganui. Buying local was good, Mr Singh said, because of freshness.

The chain's owner, Harjeet Singh, started with one store in New Plymouth about four years ago. Two stores are there now, plus one in Stratford and one in Hawera.

He has a long lease on the Wanganui building. Manpreet Singh said there was no other source of bulk Indian spices in central Wanganui.

The chain may add a Palmerston North store next year.

The Wanganui store has two staff and the intention is to be open from 8am to 7pm daily.