Taste of Tawa Food Festival Our very first Taste of Tawa International Food Festival has wrapped up, and the results are something our community can be proud of. Held from 4 to 22 June 2026, the festival brought together 28 local eateries, showcasing food from 15 countries and inviting people to discover somewhere new to eat. The aim was simple: support our hospitality businesses during a traditionally quieter time of year while encouraging locals and visitors to experience the incredible range of food available right here in Tawa. Looking back at the feedback, it's clear the festival achieved exactly that. Strong Results for Local Businesses One of the most encouraging outcomes came from the businesses themselves: 75% experienced an increase in customer numbers compared with a typical June. Nearly 70% attracted customers who had never visited before. More than 60% believed the festival generated additional income. An impressive 94% rated the festival marketing as effective or very effective. 94% said they would definitely or probably take part again. Sprig + Fern's house-made pastrami with colcannon-stuffed potato Many businesses told us that customers mentioned the festival as the reason they decided to visit for the first time. Some featured dishes proved so popular they've now earned a permanent place on their seasonal menu, while others noticed plenty of new faces walking through the door throughout the event. Perhaps most pleasing of all, every participating business said the festival was easy to take part in. A Massive Marketing Success Taste of Tawa also delivered outstanding marketing results for both the festival and our local hospitality businesses. Our social media channels experienced their strongest period of growth in recent years. During the campaign, our Facebook page gained more than 400 new followers, while Instagram grew by 45%. With a relatively modest investment in paid advertising, our Facebook and Instagram campaigns reached almost 37,000 people across the Wellington region. Wired Pup's hot chocolate with Tatua chocolate mousse The campaign began with two giveaway competitions that generated significant excitement and helped participating businesses gain hundreds of new followers. Many of the eateries also got behind the festival by sharing our posts, creating their own content and encouraging customers to get involved, extending the campaign's reach even further. Beyond social media, the festival was promoted through posters, flyers, window stickers and colourful bunting displayed within many eateries. Early customer feedback shows these materials were highly effective, with almost half of respondents recalling the festival through Facebook, followed by a third noticing the flyers and over a quarter seeing the bright-green window stickers. The bunting was particularly popular with business owners and helped make participating eateries easy for customers to identify. Interest also extended online, with the dedicated festival webpages attracting almost 3,000 page views during the three-week-long event. Exploring Tawa One Bite at a Time The passport challenge encouraged people to visit multiple eateries throughout the festival. Completed passports While we realise that many people either did not participate in the passport idea or did not submit their completed or partially completed forms, we were encouraged to receive passports and online entries that represented around 200 stamps across cafés, restaurants and takeaway outlets. Most participants came from Tawa, while 17% travelled from Johnsonville and 8% from Porirua, showing the festival succeeded in attracting visitors from outside the suburb. Early responses from our current Be Our Guest – Try Tawa survey have also been overwhelmingly positive. People particularly enjoyed discovering new eateries, trying featured dishes, experiencing the variety of international cuisine and supporting local businesses. Looking Ahead Like any new event, we've also identified opportunities to improve the Taste of Tawa model. Feedback from businesses and customers included ideas such as: expanding promotion outside Tawa to attract even more visitors; working with outside agencies to help promote the event; encouraging more festival-exclusive dishes; keeping it inclusive so there is something for every budget; making the passport process even clearer for customers and easier to submit; adding more social media competitions; and extending the duration of the festival. These suggestions provide an exciting roadmap as we begin planning the next festival. Taste of Tawa - Thank You The success of the inaugural Taste of Tawa International Food Festival is a testament to the enthusiasm of our participating eateries, the support of local businesses and community partners, and everyone who came along to discover somewhere new to eat. The festival showcased the incredible diversity of Tawa's hospitality scene, introduced many people to eateries they hadn't visited before, and gave our local businesses a welcome boost during a traditionally quieter time of year. Delivered on schedule and very close to budget, the festival achieved excellent value through increased customer numbers, strong community engagement and significant marketing reach. Perhaps the greatest outcome is the solid foundation that has now been established for the future. With the overwhelmingly positive feedback from businesses and customers, Taste of Tawa has every opportunity to become an annual event that celebrates our local food scene, attracts visitors to Tawa and continues supporting our hospitality sector. A huge thank you to everyone who played a part in making our first Taste of Tawa International Food Festival such a memorable success. We look forward to building on this year's achievements and serving up an even bigger and better festival next year.

Be our Guest - Try Tawa This autumn, we once again invited our community to "Try Tawa" - and once again, you delivered. Between 1 March and 30 April 2026, over 70 people completed our Be our Guest - Try Tawa survey, helping us better understand how, why and where people are spending their money locally. The survey was promoted through Facebook advertising, community Facebook pages, the Tawa Residents' Association newsletter, and flyers distributed at the Tawa Rotary Concert in the Park. The campaign generated more than 61,000 views on Facebook and reached over 28,000 people. The concert flyers alone resulted in approximately a dozen survey responses. As always, thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. Your feedback helps us better understand what's working well, where opportunities exist, and how we can continue to support our local business community. Strong Local Engagement Continues One of the clearest messages from the Autumn survey is that Tawa residents continue to strongly support local businesses. Almost 40% of respondents said they use Tawa businesses most days of the week, while a further 18% visit two to three times each week. Combined, that means more than half of the respondents are shopping locally multiple times every week. While most respondents (70%) live in Tawa, we also saw increased participation from residents in other parts of Wellington. This suggests that Tawa's reputation as a convenient and welcoming destination is extending beyond our immediate neighbourhood. Food and drink businesses remain the most frequently used category, with 89% of respondents visiting supermarkets, dairies or other food retailers during the previous three months. Eating out was also incredibly popular, with 85% enjoying a meal, coffee or takeaway from a local hospitality business. The Businesses People Love When asked about their favourite Tawa businesses, respondents mentioned nearly one-third of all businesses within the Tawa Business Improvement District. The most frequently mentioned favourites were: New World Tawa Tawa Books & Post Urban Eatery Sprig & Fern The Borough Golden Rose Nails On average, respondents named more than three favourite businesses each, demonstrating both the variety available in Tawa and the strong connections people have with local businesses. Good Service Matters More Than Ever Convenience remains the main reason people choose to shop locally, with 84% selecting it as a key factor. Key Reasons for Shopping Locally: Convenience and Good Service However, one of the most significant findings from this survey was the importance of good service. An impressive 80% of respondents cited good service as one of their main reasons for using Tawa businesses, a substantial increase on previous surveys. Supporting local businesses (69%), parking (63%) and quality (55%) were also major factors. Across the dozens of service stories shared, a common theme emerged: people remember businesses that make them feel welcome. Regardless of if it was a staff member remembering a regular customer's coffee order, helping someone find the perfect gift, providing expert advice, or simply taking the time to have a friendly chat, respondents repeatedly highlighted the personal connections they experience when shopping locally. Service Stars of the Survey This survey generated an outstanding collection of positive customer service stories. Businesses receiving multiple mentions included: Golden Rose Nails Tawa Books & Post Sprig & Fern New World Tawa Indian Flavours The Borough Respondents praised friendly staff, personalised service, professionalism, reliability and businesses that consistently go above and beyond expectations. One thing became very clear: customer service remains one of Tawa's greatest strengths. Good Service Quotes from the Try Tawa Autumn Survey What Businesses Would People Like to See? We also asked respondents what types of businesses they would use if they were based in Tawa. The strongest response was for more cafés and restaurants, followed by a garden centre, DIY and home improvement retailers, more op shops and children's entertainment options. The continued demand for more hospitality options reflects the popularity of local dining and the important role eateries play in creating a vibrant town centre. Home Renovations Reveal New Opportunities A new question in the Autumn survey explored where people source products and services for home renovations and maintenance projects. We found that 62% of respondents had completed some form of renovation, maintenance or improvement project in the past 12 months. Interestingly, most of this spending occurred outside Tawa, particularly in Porirua. While several local building and home improvement businesses were mentioned, the findings suggest there is an opportunity to increase awareness of the skilled trades, suppliers and specialist services already available within Tawa. Keeping more of this spending local could provide significant benefits for both residents and businesses. Businesses People Want to Try Several businesses stood out as places people had heard great things about but had not yet visited. Among the most frequently mentioned were: Sprig & Fern Madame Saigon Skye Candles Kinnari Thai Restaurant These responses highlight the power of word-of-mouth recommendations and suggest there are still plenty of opportunities for locals to discover new favourites right here in Tawa. Here is hoping that the Taste of Tawa International Food Festival helps locals explore new eateries. Try Tawa - Be our Guest Winner Anjelia (left) receiving a New World gift card from BID manager, Bernadette Congratulations to Anjelia Black, winner of our Autumn Try Tawa Survey prize draw. Anjelia was thrilled to receive a $100 New World Tawa gift card and was especially looking forward to sharing the win with her son when he returns home from university in Otago. Anjelia was presented with her prize by Tawa Business Group BID Manager Bernadette Pallister. Thank you to Anjelia and everyone else who took the time to complete the survey. Looking Ahead The Autumn survey confirms that Tawa continues to thrive because of its combination of convenience, strong customer service, quality businesses and community spirit. While hospitality and retail remain key drivers of local spending, the survey also highlighted opportunities to promote home improvement businesses, encourage people to try new businesses, and continue sharing the many positive customer experiences that make Tawa special. Most importantly, your feedback shows that local businesses are not just places to shop – they are places where people feel welcomed, valued and connected. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Autumn Try Tawa survey and to the many businesses that continue to make Tawa such a great place to live, work and shop. The Try Tawa Winter Survey goes live on 1 July and will be your final opportunity to tell us what you think about Tawa businesses. Your feedback helps us understand what's working well, identify opportunities for improvement, and continue supporting the businesses that make our community unique. Everything you need is right here in Tawa – and through your feedback, you're helping shape its future.

Be our Guest - Try Tawa This summer, we asked our community to once again “Try Tawa” - and you delivered. From 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, 57 people completed our Be our Guest – Try Tawa survey, helping us better understand how, why and where people are shopping locally. Promotion included Facebook advertising, posts shared in community Facebook groups, and a mention in the Tawa Residents’ Association newsletter. Congratulations to our Be our Guest Winner! Try Tawa winner Louise Owen (right) receiving a $100 voucher from BID manager, Bernadette After each survey is complete, we draw a winner from all the entries. Our summer Be our Guest winner is Louise Owen, who has won a $100 voucher to spend at The Borough - one of our community’s favourite hospitality spots. Louise enjoyed a delicious duck salad, while her five children tucked into tasty pizzas and amazing ice cream sundaes. Congratulations to Louise! What We Learned This Summer Strong Local Loyalty The summer survey results reinforce what we often hear in conversation - Tawa residents are deeply connected to their local businesses. An impressive 95% of respondents had used a Town Centre business within the past three months, and nearly two-thirds are shopping locally multiple times each week. Even more striking, 35% reported visiting Tawa businesses most days, a noticeable increase from our Spring findings. This level of frequency reflects more than habit; it signals trust, convenience and genuine loyalty. The majority of respondents (77%) live in Tawa itself, with particularly strong participation from family households and those aged 30-44. This suggests that working-age residents and young families are highly engaged with the local economy and see Tawa as their primary destination for everyday needs. What People Are Using Hospitality continues to be the heartbeat of local foot traffic. Food and drink businesses were used by 91% of respondents over the past three months, while 73% enjoyed eating out locally. Retail shops also remain a core part of the mix, with 61% reporting recent visits. Beyond hospitality and retail, there was steady engagement with auto services, health and fitness providers, beauty therapy, and child-related services. These categories reflect the broad ecosystem of businesses that support daily life in Tawa. One notable finding, however, is that Building and Home Improvement businesses once again recorded no direct usage in the survey responses. This likely reflects the infrequent nature of renovation or building projects and presents a clear opportunity to strengthen awareness and visibility in this sector. Takapū Rise businesses were used by 33% of respondents, although most references appear to relate primarily to supermarket visits. This suggests measurable engagement with the area, but also potential to highlight the wider range of businesses located there. Why People Shop Local Key Reasons for Shopping Locally: Convenience and Supporting Local Convenience remains Tawa’s strongest competitive advantage. An overwhelming 86% of respondents cited convenience as a key reason for shopping locally. Good service and supporting local businesses were equally important motivators, each selected by 65% of participants. Parking, quality and atmosphere also rated highly. Together, these responses paint a clear picture: Tawa works because it is easy, welcoming and dependable. The strong emphasis on service reinforces the importance of friendly, personalised customer experiences as a defining feature of the local business community. How People Find Out About Promotions Facebook continues to be the dominant communication channel, with 75% of respondents identifying it as their primary way of learning about local promotions and new businesses. Word of mouth and simply passing by businesses also remain influential. It is worth noting that most summer responses were driven directly through Facebook promotion. This suggests that the platform is not only effective for visibility, but also for motivating action and engagement with local initiatives. Exceptional Service Standouts The clear standout this Summer was Tawa Books & Post, which received repeated praise for its friendly and knowledgeable staff, excellent children’s book selection, same-day delivery service, helpful postal support, and warm community atmosphere. Other highly regarded businesses included Sprig & Fern - Tawa, Golden Rose Nails, Salon Savoy, and New World Tawa. Across all comments, common themes emerged: staff going above and beyond, genuinely welcoming environments, personalised service, and spaces that feel inclusive and family friendly. These qualities continue to define the Tawa business experience and remain one of the community’s greatest strengths. Good Service Quotes from the Try Tawa Summer Survey Where to Next? Try Tawa – The Autumn Survey We are now running an autumn version of the Try Tawa survey, with new and updated questions, with an emphasis on better understanding renovation spending and awareness of specialist services. It will only take about 5 minutes to complete and runs from 1 March to 30 April 2026. Please click here to complete it. Thank you to everyone who took part in our summer survey. Your feedback directly shapes how we promote, support and strengthen Tawa’s business community, and your continued support of our wonderful businesses makes Tawa a great place to live, shop, and connect. Everything you need is right here in Tawa - and this Summer, you proved it.

Spring into Tawa businesses < Back to Event page SPRING INTO TAWA Not all businesses in the festival area will be open on Saturday 19 October 2024. Those listed below have indicated that they will be.

Fun for the whole famliy in Tawa. From playgrounds, to pools, creative arts, and more. < Go to Full Business Directory VISIT & PLAY IN TAWA Best Start Tawa 3 Redwood Avenue, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Big Air Gym unit 1b/10 Surrey Street, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Cellar Daisy 40/20 William Earp Place, Tawa, Wellington 5028, New Zealand Business Details Chipmunks Playland & Cafe Outlet City 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Easyswim Swim School 4 Oxford Street, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Embrace Design 204B Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Gift Shack Decor & Giftware Outlet City 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Good As Gold 37 Oxford Street, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Gorgeous Goose Cakes & Lotto Shop unit 1/182 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Hayley Johnson Academy of Dancing 205 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Just a Shop 184 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington 5028, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details KinderCare Tawa 25 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Laserplex New Zealand 1/78 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington 5028, New Zealand Business Details Little Annie Pop-in Portrait 3/210 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Millie's House Oxford Street Kindy 57 Oxford Street, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Nicola Ann Harwood Goldsmith unit 5/210 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Outlet City 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Paisley Gift Store unit b/188 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Reggio Bambini Outlet City 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Skye Candle and Body Care 190 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Sunshine Studios 3/210 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Tawa Books and Post 181 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details

From cheap and cheerful eats, to locally roasted coffee and delicacies. You'll find an array of tasty food, and delicious drinks at Tawa's cafes, resturants, pubs and bars. < Go to Full Business Directory EAT & DRINK IN TAWA A Taste of India 174 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Asian Shop Pinoy Selectionz 193 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details BBQ Chaska 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington 5028, New Zealand Business Details Cafe Addict unit c/204 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Chipmunks Playland & Cafe Outlet City 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Coffee Joint Outlet City 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Daily Fix 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington 5028, New Zealand Business Details Domino's Pizza 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Food Star / Chinese Food unit a/120 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details G & M Coffee Wellington unit 5/98 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Gorgeous Goose Cakes & Lotto Shop unit 1/182 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Indian Flavours 216a Main Road, Tawa, Wellington 5028, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Jamano Kitchen 3/182 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Kinnari Thai Restaurant 124 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Kirara Cafe and Japanese Kitchen a/139 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington 5028, New Zealand Business Details Madam Saigon 209 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Major T Bar 207-209 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Nada Bakery unit 4/72 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details New World Tawa 35 Oxford Street, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Outlet City 24 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Oxford Fish & Chips 2 Oxford Street, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Pizza Hut - Tawa 218 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Seafood Plus 193 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details Sprig & Fern Tawa 99 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand Business Details