Building a future through food

Belong Aotearoa has been running an FCP (Food Control Plan) training course at Wesley Community Centre for almost 10 years now. In this time, we have met many inspirational people with dreams of starting their own businesses so they can create a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones in their new home. Here are a couple of those stories.  

From Chile to Aotearoa: Building a Coffee Dream from Scratch

Built with his own hands, powered by community support, and fuelled by premium Colombian coffee, Mauricio’s thriving mobile coffee business is proof that with courage, persistence, and the right support, it’s possible to build something truly meaningful no matter where you start. 

Mauricio making coffee

Mauricio, a psychologist and counsellor originally from Chile, came to Aotearoa with a desire to start fresh and try something new. That opportunity came through Belong Aotearoa’s programmes designed to help newcomers integrate into life in New Zealand through practical training and community support.  

Confident that he would be stepping into a welcoming environment, Mauricio enrolled in barista training and soon after, continued his journey with FCP training in 2025. Like many starting out in a new country, Mauricio faced challenges. One of the biggest was understanding the processes and requirements involved in launching a food business in New Zealand, while also adapting to an unfamiliar system. But with determination and the right support, he pushed forward. 

Maurcio at his coffee stand

Through his training, Mauricio developed key skills that helped him shape his business. Today, Mauricio is the proud owner of a mobile coffee business which he built entirely with his own hands. His coffee cart travels to events and locations, serving premium Colombian coffee and delivering a high-quality coffee experience rooted in passion and care. 

Mauricio credits much of his success to the support he received along the way. He is especially grateful to Belong Aotearoa and Wesley Community Centre for their guidance, as well as the facilitators and coordinators who offered personal encouragement throughout his journey. 

Reflecting on his journey, Mauricio offers simple but powerful advice: 

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Support is often closer than you think”, he says. “Keep going, even when it feels like everything is lost, many times, success is just one step beyond fear.” 

From Tradition to Opportunity: Building Confidence Through Community

With a dream of starting a Persian bakery business alongside her son, Taiyebeh began her FCP training with Belong Aotearoa at Wesley Community Centre. 

Taiyebeh’s persian baked goods

Back in Iran, she had built a strong career as a professional baker and tutor. After moving to New Zealand, she continued expanding her experience, working in a French restaurant, The Cheesecake Shop, and a well-known city café. 

Despite her experience, starting a home-based Persian bakery in Aotearoa came with uncertainty. Taiyebeh and her son wanted to share a piece of their culture through food, but navigating council registration and understanding the Food Control Plan process felt overwhelming. That’s when the training became a turning point. 

Through the programme, Taiyebeh gained the knowledge and guidance needed to successfully register their home kitchen earning an ‘A grade’. The experience built her confidence and belief in her own abilities, and just as importantly, she formed meaningful friendships and connections that continued to support her beyond the classroom. 

With renewed confidence, she began reaching out to her local community connecting with neighbours and fellow market vendors. Today, she and her son proudly share their Persian baked goods at the Grey Lynn Sunday Market, Parnell Market, and other local community events. 

As the business continues to grow under her son’s leadership, Taiyebeh has taken bold new steps of her own. Alongside her husband, she is now studying in the healthcare field, while also working toward creating an initiative for seniors aimed at building a sense of belonging similar to what she experienced when she first connected with Belong Aotearoa. 

Taiyebeh with her fellow healthcare students

Having the support of the Belong Aotearoa Coordinator who understood both her cultural background and New Zealand’s systems made a profound difference. It reinforced a powerful message: that she belongs here, and that her dreams are achievable. 

Her journey has also created a ripple effect within her community. She now supports other women by explaining the FCP process in their shared language, helping them gain the confidence to pursue their own goals. 

Nazmin Bhikoo

Community Development Coordinator

These experiences highlight the transformative power of community, knowledge, and confidence. Programmes like this are vital; they encourage people, especially women, to believe in themselves, take action, and create new opportunities.