Whanganui woman starts Cook Islands food truck as a tribute to mother

Mereana Teina Maru started her food truck M's Kai Shak as a tribute to her mother, Moeroa Waerea, who died last year. Photo / Logan Tutty

A Whanganui woman's new business venture serving traditional Cook Island food is doing so as a tribute to her late mother.

Mereana Teina Maru started her food truck M's Kai Shak in mid 2020, after her mother died just days before New Zealand went into level 4 lockdown.

"Two days before lockdown we buried our mother. During everything, we didn't even realise what was going on as we were so focused on our mother."

Maru started thinking of ways she could continue her mother's legacy by turning her pain into a service for the community.

The youngest of 16 children, Maru's mother Moeroa was always in the kitchen cooking food for her family.

"I didn't like the food, I honestly didn't, because we were bought up on it," Maru said.

"But when she passed, it really hit home. It's part of our culture, that's why I'm doing this, so I can teach my children and my grandchildren.

"Everyone has different ways of mourning and grieving, this is my way, by producing my cultural food in remembrance."

Although she started the food truck in 2020, Maru has been out of action for most of the year to focus on her personal health, family and relationships.

Two months ago, she took her truck to the Matariki Lighting The Beacons Festival in Ōtaki, and received plenty of praise for her food.

"That's when I really picked myself up."

Maru will be setting up at the Castlecliff Markets fortnightly, starting this Sunday.

Serving traditional Cook Island food such as chop suey, mainase, poke and island donuts, Maru said her mother was always present when she was preparing and cooking her food.

"Every time I trade, my mum is with me. Every time I serve, it reminds me of my mother when she served us, that's why I have this passion.

"There is two main ingredients to my cooking, love and music. I always have those two when I'm cooking.

"I definitely know this is what I'm meant to do."

As a day job, Maru drives the school bus for Upokongaro School as well as being on call for Oranga Tamariki.

She hopes to set up a Cook Island dance group to accompany the food side of her business.

"I'm just on the hunt for venues. Ideally, I want to turn M's Kai Shak into the main umbrella for the music, dance and arts side.

"We have so many kids out there in schools who want to dance. Someone has to do something, I'm going to do it myself."

Maru wants to offer different avenues for local Cook Islanders to learn about their culture, something that wasn't always shared when she was growing up.

"My mother was very reserved. For me, it's in our blood and genes, and it's something not to waste. Because my mother never shared, I'm definitely going to share it.

"That's my drive, is to make sure my kids, my grandchildren and the next generation get to see it and explore it."

• Check out M's Kai Shak at the Castlecliff Markets this Sunday from 11am to 2pm or on Facebook at M's Kai Shak.