From home kitchen to supermarket shelves: Ikuna Taste’s recipe for success

It’s been a remarkable journey of growth for Pasifika-owned business Ikuna Taste, founded by Pauline and Fata Fotu-Moala. Dedicated to offering health-conscious treats that celebrate natural, organic produce, Ikuna Taste has been driven by a passion for wholesome, nutritious food and a deep-rooted commitment to community wellbeing.

Frustrated by the lack of options in her hometown of South Auckland, Pauline was determined to bridge the gap between nourishing treats and indulgence. Her preference for healthy eating, coupled with the prevalence of chronic illnesses in her community and family, ignited her passion to craft treats that are sugar free, gluten free and low carb without compromising on flavour.

Right place, right time

Pauline’s journey to success is a tale of serendipity and determination. As an Amotai-registered supplier, Pauline presented to the team at Amotai, sharing information about her business and plans for the future. During that conversation, she expressed her aspirations of getting Ikuna Taste products into supermarkets.

Little did she know, Countdown had been working in collaboration with Amotai on their business accelerator initiative called the Kete Programme – where selected businesses are offered a comprehensive package of resources and support valued at over $250,000.

Certification Manager Ceillhe Sperath knew this was a fantastic opportunity for Ikuna Taste and encouraged Pauline to apply.

“Programmes like Kete are important in accelerating the success of diverse businesses in Aotearoa and fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators, says Ceillhe.

“It was the perfect platform for Ikuna Taste, as an emerging business to receive invaluable access to Countdown’s customer insights, product development and manufacturing assistance – not to mention the mentorship from industry experts.”

Joining the Kete Programme

Ikuna Taste went through a tough selection, which saw 170 applicants narrowed down to just 10 finalists who were then put through their paces in a dragon’s den-style presentation process. In November 2021, Countdown announced Ikuna Taste as one of the five small Kiwi businesses they had selected to work with to help get their products shelf ready.

Having had a few tough years with COVID-19 lockdowns, hearing that Ikuna Taste had successfully made it into the programme provided a welcome boost to the business.

“I had developed the Keto cookie mix, to cater to changing consumer preferences and create alternative revenue streams but I knew I needed a channel for reaching customers directly during any future lockdown periods.”

“The Kete programme really helped me navigate challenges and position the business for growth in the post-lockdown landscape,” says Pauline.

Collaborative growth and development

The Kete programme has been transformative for Pauline. Her and her team have worked closely with Countdown experts, developed new products including keto muffin, cookie and brownie baking mixes, aligning their offerings with market trends and customer preferences.

But it hasn’t been easy!

Ikuna faced various challenges, from fluctuating ingredient costs to packaging issues. Pauline’s determination and resilience was crucial.

The collaboration with Countdown has enabled Ikuna Taste to bring their products to the shelves of approximately 59 premium Countdown stores so far.

Pauline reflects on the journey she’s been on and credits the innovation, culinary creativity, and commitment to healthy living to her mum.

“My mum is a real source of inspiration – her ability to blend Tongan cooking traditions, fresh ingredients and modern cooking techniques to produce healthy, flavourful dishes is where it all started for me,” says Pauline.

“Her commitment to healthy cooking, whilst honouring her heritage and celebrating natural ingredients continues to shape the Ikuna ethos today.”