La Mexicana recognised by the Embassy of Mexico
Grey Lynn’s La Mexicana has received a special recognition from the Embassy of Mexico in New Zealand and the Mexican Academy of Gastronomy, celebrating the restaurant’s work in promoting Mexican gastronomy through its expression, quality and authenticity.
The award was presented to owner (and previous GLBA Chairman) Marco Muñiz Mugica by H.E. Alfredo Pérez Bravo, Mexico’s Ambassador to New Zealand, at a recent gathering at La Mexicana.
For a local restaurant, this is more than a certificate on the wall. It is formal recognition from Mexico’s own diplomatic and gastronomic representatives that La Mexicana is helping share Mexican food culture here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Located in the heart of Grey Lynn, La Mexicana has become known for its bold flavours, warm hospitality, and connection to Mexican tradition. The recognition reflects the care Marco and his team bring to the food, drinks, and atmosphere they create for locals and visitors alike.
The award forms part of “México: Viaje a través de los sabores” - Mexico: a journey through flavours - a fitting description for a restaurant that brings a taste of Mexico into the Grey Lynn community.
For Grey Lynn, the recognition is also a reminder of the role local hospitality businesses play in shaping the character of the neighbourhood. Restaurants like La Mexicana do more than serve food; they create gathering places, introduce culture, support local vibrancy, and help make the area a destination.
Chair Update: Progress You Can See
Winter has officially arrived, but things are heating up at the GLBA. Last month I promised some big news, and I’m stoked to finally deliver on it. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes, and June is all about executing those plans and welcoming some fresh energy to the neighbourhood.
Here is the latest from the ground:
I am absolutely hyped to announce Caroline Tauevihi as our new General Manager! Caroline has hit the ground running and is already out there doing the mahi, advocating fiercely for our local community. She brings an awesome energy to the role and truly understands what makes Grey Lynn a great place to do business. If you see her out and about, make sure to say hi and welcome her to the crew.
While we were temporarily without a GM, the team didn't sit idle. We’ve been busy building and refining our brand-new website, and it’s finally live.
This isn't just a shiny new coat of paint, it’s a tool for us to connect, trade, and back each other.
So here’s my challenge for the month: Next time you need a service, whether it’s accounting, printing, creative work, or a trade, hit the new portal first and check out the local options. The cool thing about Grey Lynn is its sheer diversity. We have some of the most creative, unique businesses in the country right on our doorstep, and there is a local solution for almost anything you can think of.
Let's keep buying local, supporting local, and looking out for one another.
Robin McDonnell
Chairman, Grey Lynn Business Association
Cassia announces Grey Lynn Residency at Ozone
One of New Zealand’s most acclaimed restaurants is set to call Grey Lynn home for the coming months, with award-winning modern Indian restaurant Cassia announcing a residency within Ozone Coffee Roasters from 17 June.
The temporary move comes ahead of the opening of Cassia’s new permanent home in Auckland’s CBD later this year, giving diners the opportunity to experience the restaurant in Grey Lynn while construction of its future flagship site is completed.
A New Chapter for Cassia
Since opening on Fort Lane in 2014, Cassia has established itself as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated dining destinations, known for its contemporary take on Indian cuisine.
Following the 2023 Anniversary Weekend floods, the restaurant temporarily relocated to SkyCity, where it continued to operate while plans for its next permanent chapter took shape.
The Grey Lynn residency marks the next step in that journey, providing a home for Cassia while its new CBD venue is completed.
A Collaboration Between Two Hospitality Teams
The residency will see Cassia operate from Ozone Coffee Roasters in the evenings, bringing together two respected names in Auckland hospitality.
The collaboration also has a strong local connection. Ozone Head Chef Karol Troncoso previously worked at Cassia, describing her time there as one of the most influential periods of her culinary career.
The residency has been designed as a genuine collaboration between the two teams, with both venues contributing to the menu and overall dining experience.
What's on the Menu?
Guests can expect a selection of Cassia favourites alongside several special collaboration dishes created specifically for the residency.
Highlights include Cassia's popular Pani Puri, Mughlai lamb chops and Delhi-style butter chicken, alongside new offerings such as a chocolate kulfi dessert featuring Ozone coffee ganache and a special Ozone x Cassia chicken kebab.
Cassia Head Chef Ketan Joshi will lead the kitchen alongside the team as the restaurant enters this next phase.
A Welcome Addition to Grey Lynn
The residency brings one of New Zealand's most recognised dining brands into Grey Lynn and further strengthens the area's reputation as a destination for food, hospitality and local experiences.
As visitors travel into the neighbourhood to experience the collaboration, the residency is also expected to contribute to the vibrancy of the wider precinct, supporting surrounding hospitality and retail businesses throughout the area.
Cassia at Ozone opens Wednesday 17 June and will operate Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm until late.
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We’ll be catching up with the Cassia team soon to learn more about what attracted them to Grey Lynn and their thoughts on the role hospitality plays in shaping local communities.
Photography courtesy of: Rise & Shine PR
Chair Update: Building What's Next for Grey Lynn
Autumn is now well upon us, and while the days are getting shorter, the momentum at the GLBA is only picking up. Grey Lynn has never been about business as usual; we’ve got a specific kind of magic here, a mix of heritage, hustle, and culture that you just don't find anywhere else in Tāmaki Makaurau.
I’m stoked to announce that we’ve officially kicked off a new scope of work with Fresh Concept. As one of the city's leading placemaking agencies, they get the Grey Lynn vibe. We’re working together to celebrate our unique identity and ensure our district remains a place people want to linger, not just pass through. I can’t wait to share the progress as this evolves... it’s going to be big for our local character.
Recruitment for our new General Manager is well underway, and the caliber of talent we’ve seen has been exceptional. It’s a testament to Grey Lynn’s reputation that so many heavy hitters are keen to represent us. We’re in the final stages and hope to make an announcement very soon. Watch this space.
Let’s keep it real: things are a bit lean for some of us right now. The economic climate is throwing some punches, but if there’s one thing Grey Lynn businesses have, it’s grit. You’re a resilient bunch, and there is a massive amount of optimism on the horizon if we stick together.
We want to hear from you: If you have ideas on how the GLBA can make your life even a little bit easier or help drive more eyes to your door, reach out. We aren't a polished corporate entity; we’re here to work for you.
Let’s keep the energy high and the support local.
Robin McDonnell
Interim Chair, Grey Lynn Business Association
Gypsy Tea Room’s place in Grey Lynn
What Brett Simeti built at Gypsy Tea Room was never really just a bar.
For more than two decades, the Richmond Road venue has been a constant within Grey Lynn’s hospitality landscape. A place woven into the rhythm of the neighbourhood and the lives of the people who passed through it. Long before Grey Lynn became one of Auckland’s most identifiable inner-city suburbs, Gypsy Tea Room was already building a reputation as somewhere unpretentious, welcoming and deeply community-led.
Now, after more than 20 years in Grey Lynn, the venue is preparing to close its current chapter, with landlord Barfoot & Thompson confirming plans to redevelop the site. The institution is expected to pour its final drinks by the end of August.
But for Brett, who purchased the venue after first falling in love with it as a customer himself, the story has never solely been about hospitality. “It’s always been a place for the people,” he says. “Any gender, age, profession, race - it doesn’t matter. Everyone can feel at home.”
That philosophy is part of what made Gypsy Tea Room resonate so strongly with locals over the years. It wasn’t chasing trends or trying to be Auckland’s next flashy hospitality concept. It stayed grounded in something simpler. People. “Look after people. Host them, not just serve them,” he says. “I think that’s what sets you apart.”
When Brett first took over the venue, Grey Lynn itself was in a different phase of its evolution. “You had bohemian types, the media, working-class, students, home to the first wave of Pacific immigration… the whole spectrum.”
Video stores and dairies lined parts of the strip. Students, artists, young professionals, working families and Pasifika communities all mixed together in a way Brett says shaped both the suburb and the venue’s identity. While Grey Lynn has evolved over the years, he believes it has retained something many inner-city suburbs struggle to hold onto.
“Its spirit. Its people. It still has heritage, it still has connection. You probably know your neighbour here as opposed to other areas. I truly believe this is probably the last real melting pot place around the inner city” he reflects.
That diversity mattered to him personally too. Brett’s family history in Grey Lynn stretches back generations through his Samoan grandparents, who settled here in the 1950s. Childhood memories of Sunday lunches, family gatherings and community connection all shaping his affinity for the neighbourhood long before he stepped behind the bar. Over time, the venue has quietly become part of Grey Lynn’s identity. Not through spectacle or reinvention, but through consistency, familiarity and care. For many locals, it became an anchor point, somewhere familiar in an area that continued to evolve around it.
“A lot of people have memories here because life happened here. First dates turned into marriages, regulars grew older together, staff became friends rather than service providers. It’s beyond bricks and mortar. I think it represents people’s being. It’s not pretentious. Celebrities can relax and not be hassled. It’s just an extension of people’s living rooms.”
Following the announcement of the closure, Brett says the response has given him a deeper appreciation for the role the venue came to play within Grey Lynn. “Only recently have I realised the magnitude of what it meant to people” he admits. “I’ve always loved the fact that other people loved it, but I never basked in it.”
For now though, regulars are still gathering around familiar tables, and Grey Lynn is taking a moment to reflect on what one venue contributed to the character of the area for more than two decades. But this may not be the final chapter for the venue. Brett is already exploring future locations and what a “Gypsy Tea Room 2.0” could look like.
When asked what he hopes Grey Lynn never loses, Brett answers instantly:
“Its soul.”
Asked what he would like to say to those who supported Gypsy Tea Room over the years, Brett reflects on the role people played in shaping the venue.
“Where do I start? Words can’t describe it...Thank you for the generosity and spirit, the patronage and support of the people that have lived here. I’ve done it because I love it. I’ve liked touching people’s lives… and to see that reflected back - it’s cool.”
Whether Gypsy Tea Room reemerges elsewhere or not, its place within Grey Lynn’s hospitality story is already firmly cemented.
Western Springs Bowl concept approved
Following a strong public consultation process, Auckland Council has endorsed plans for the future development of Western Springs Stadium into the Western Springs Bowl - a flexible-use venue designed to support concerts, festivals, sporting events and continued community activity.
Building on the site’s natural amphitheatre, the Western Springs Bowl concept will strengthen Auckland’s offering for mid-sized events, while improving year-round use.
Boosting Events and Local Business
As part of the decision, venue owner Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) will invest up to $2.5 million into venue enhancements, including semi-permanent summer staging infrastructure and an upgraded broadcast-quality sports configuration. The venue will accommodate concerts and festivals of up to 30,000 people, alongside sporting events for crowds of up to 5,000.
Importantly for Grey Lynn businesses, increased activity at Western Springs will create a positive flow-on effect across the wider area. Major events often bring visitors into surrounding neighbourhoods before and after concerts, supporting local hospitality, retail and accommodation providers throughout Grey Lynn, Westmere and Ponsonby.
Long-Term Benefits for the Community
The flexible-use model is projected to improve the long-term financial sustainability of the venue through increased activity, while maintaining community access and extending Ponsonby Rugby Club’s lease for a further five years.
The Western Springs Bowl signals a significant investment into the city’s cultural and visitor economy and one that could bring increased energy and foot traffic into surrounding local business communities.
Meet Your Neighbour: La Buvette
A new café has opened its doors on Richmond Road, bringing with it a distinctly local approach to hospitality.
La Buvette is the latest venture from Romain & Bertrand, who together launched Bare Wines located on Brown Street in Ponsonby during the Covid years. What began as importing wine from a Kingsland garage gradually evolved into Brown Street's much-loved wine space. As that chapter approaches its conclusion in July, the duo saw an opportunity to create something new while staying true to the neighbourhood that had supported them from the beginning.
Enter La Buvette
The name La Buvette references the kind of neighbourhood where people might stop for a morning coffee, read the paper, catch up with friends, enjoy a glass of wine after work, or simply spend time together.
That sense of locality is a recurring theme throughout our conversation. Having moved to Auckland from Lyon in 2014, Romain quickly fell in love with the area's community spirit. He believes Grey Lynn offers something increasingly rare in a growing city: a genuine neighbourhood feel. "Other suburbs can have high expectations. Grey Lynn is full of families that have been here for generations." Then, laughing, he offers an analogy: "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and the tree isn’t on top of the hill, so the apple doesn't fall far."
In other words, people tend to stay. They grow up here, move a few streets away, raise families of their own and remain connected to the area. "It's a village in a city." That local focus has shaped almost every decision at La Buvette. From the operating hours to the atmosphere, the goal is not to become a late-night destination, but a neighbourhood gathering place. "We're here for early mornings and early dinners. At 10pm, merci and à bientôt." Romain says with a smile.
Built Around Community
The café is currently operating Wednesday to Saturday from 7am - 2:30pm, with plans to extend into evening service once its liquor licence is approved. Even then, Romain & Bertrand are determined to keep the focus on being a family-friendly local venue that respects the surrounding neighbourhood. "We want to be the new local."
Inside, visitors will find more than coffee and pastries. Carefully curated throughout the space are works from the personal collection of local artist Chris Corson-Scott, featuring photographs of Grey Lynn and Ponsonby spanning the decades. The artwork, alongside the lighting and interior details, will continue to evolve over time. For the duo, that's intentional. They want La Buvette to feel alive. "A place of life, a place where people are happy to stay."
Now in Richmond Road
Already, the venue is beginning to settle into its role within the neighbourhood. Parents stop in for coffee before the school run. Locals linger over croissants. Friends gather around tables to play cards and catch up. It's these everyday moments that Romain & Bertrand hope will define La Buvette in the years ahead. As for the future? Romain is excited by the opportunity to continue growing alongside the community. His long-term ambition is simple. "To become a Grey Lynner."
Follow La Buvette
Instagram: @labuvettebybarewine
Photography by: Eugene In and Yuki (@7.30_y)
Grey Lynn Business Pulse - April Snapshot
Thank you to the 26 businesses who took part in our April Pulse survey, spanning retail, services and creative industries.
Your input plays an important role in helping GLBA understand what’s happening on the ground and where we should focus next. Congratulations to Kara from Yoga Ground, our April voucher winner.
Who Took Part
This month’s responses reflect a mix of industries across Grey Lynn, with strong representation from retail, professional services and service-based businesses.
While this provides a useful snapshot, there was limited participation from hospitality, which are a key and highly visible part of our Grey Lynn offering.
What we’re hearing:
Priorities
- Stronger marketing & promotion of Grey Lynn as a destination
- Continued advocacy around transport, parking and zoning
- Improving safety, particularly in the evening
How you want to connect
- Email remains the preferred channel
- Social (Instagram and Facebook) follows
- 53% would attend quarterly events if tailored to their industry
Buy Local Initiative
We also asked about interest in a potential “Buy Local” business-to-business discount scheme.
- 30.8% said yes
- 53.8% said maybe
- 15.4% said no
This shows strong potential, with a majority open to the idea. It’s something we may look to explore further to understand how it could best work for local businesses.
How Grey Lynn is described
- Eclectic (53%)
- Creative (42%)
- Community-led (34%)
- A balance of Progressive & Heritage (26%)
What’s impacting growth
- Economic pressure and reduced discretionary spend
- Parking constraints and lower foot traffic
- Visibility and location challenges
- Industry-specific shifts & increasing competition
These insights are helping shape our upcoming campaigns, advocacy focus and event planning.
GLBA Identity Programme
Defining what makes Grey Lynn… Grey Lynn.
Grey Lynn is not defined by a single street or centre, but by a collection of distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own character, rhythm, and identity.
The opportunity for GLBA is to better connect these areas and shape a clear, cohesive narrative that reflects what makes Grey Lynn unique.
To support this, GLBA has engaged Fresh Concept to lead the development of an Identity Programme following a competitive process.
This work will focus on:
- Defining a clear positioning for Grey Lynn as a destination
- Strengthening how the area is represented and communicated
- Creating a framework that supports local businesses and future initiatives
It will be a collaborative process, involving engagement with local businesses and the wider community to ensure the outcome reflects the reality and diversity of the area.
This is an important piece of work and will be developed carefully over the coming months. As it progresses, there will be opportunities for businesses to contribute and provide input.
A farewell from Christine Johnston, General Manager
When I joined Grey Lynn Business Association as General Manager I had no idea I would be signing off 3 months later. But as I head off to a role in Wellington I am confident I leave the BID with a strong foundation and ready for the new incumbent to 'hit the ground running'.
As a new bid, the organisation had operated with a mainly voluntary workforce. Lacking systems, documentation, a clear strategy and direction and strong representation. There is a fair list here, but I wanted to assure you that the ground-work has been done and the new GM will join to sound practices. As I gathered the below list I can be pleased this was achieved in such a short space of time. We have:
- Reviewed the strategy for GLBA with the view to focus on 5 pillars; Placemaking, Events/Networking, our Identity, Marketing/Comms, Advocacy/Relationships
- We have clear budgets and accountability
- Governance includes our statutory requirements, auditor and Policies
- HR, Compliance & Business Documents developed
- Migrated to a new B2B website and platform
- A B2C website and for a thriving Grey Lynn Business Community to be up and running in June
- As you will read in the newsletter our Identity Programme is now underway
- Our GLBA Logo/ Brand has had an interim refresh
- Communications have been revised, our newsletter reviewed
- New platforms include Mailchimp and Wordpress
- Our ability to manage membership information and relationships is key, a CRM is in development with completion in May
- And of course we cant forget, Robin McDonnell stepped up at short notice to chair Grey Lynn Business Association, he has added dynamism and direction that the association needed at this time
I didn't do this on my own, it was with the support and insight of a great team and our Committee. Thank you to everyone to everyone for your support and passion. Grey Lynn is an awesome suburb and I am so confident of the opportunity the investment of the Businesses through the BID will bring.
Christine Johnston,
Former General Manager
Meet Your Neighbour: Oat Bros
Oat Bros might be known for their oats, but what they’re really building is community.
Started out of Hamilton, the brand has grown a loyal following by keeping things simple. Real ingredients, a strong point of view, and a focus on bringing people together.
Now in Grey Lynn, that same energy has come with them.
More Than Just Oats
At its core, Oat Bros is about doing one thing well. Their menu is built around quality oats and fresh toppings, creating something that’s quick, nourishing, and easy to make part of a daily routine. But what sets them apart isn’t just the product, it’s how they show up around it.
Built Around Community
Oat Bros have built a strong social following by creating moments that extend beyond the bowl.
Their run club is a big part of that. What started in Hamilton has carried through to Grey Lynn, bringing people together for a weekly 4km run, followed by coffee and oats. It’s open to everyone, any pace, and designed to be social rather than competitive.
It’s a simple idea, but one that’s clearly resonated, turning customers into a community.
Now in Ariki St
Their arrival adds something different to the local mix. A business that understands how to build connection, not just through product, but through shared experience. It’s a good example of how small brands can create real impact at a neighbourhood level.
Follow Oat Bros
Stay up to date with their run club and latest drops:
Instagram: @oatbros_
Enhancing Our Neighbourhood: Great North Road Developments
Great North Road is entering a new phase. Following a challenging period of disruption, there is now a clear shift toward renewal, with thoughtful developments reshaping the area and bring new energy back to the precinct.
Adding to this growing momentum, Samson is progressing two projects that balance heritage, design, and sustainability at 137 and 308 Great North Road.
A Growing Design Precinct
Alongside these developments, Great North Road is increasingly becoming a destination for design-led businesses. The Fisher & Paykel Experience Centre at 199 Great North Road has become an established anchor in the area, a space designed not just for customers, but for architects, designers and the wider creative community.
Over time, a number of design, interiors, and textile-focused businesses have also made Great North Road home, contributing to a growing cluster of creative and material-led industries. This gradual shift reflects a broader change within Auckland’s creative landscape, with Great North Road emerging as a natural location for design-focused businesses - connected, accessible, and grounded in a strong sense of place.
A Considered Approach to Renewal
Rather than starting from scratch, both Samson developments focus on working with what already exists by enhancing, restoring, and reimagining these buildings for the future.
It’s an approach grounded in long-term thinking, where design, function, and environmental responsibility are considered together.
137 Great North Road
At 137, the design draws inspiration from the building’s elevated position along the ridgeline. A new façade introduces a perforated aluminium screen, designed to filter light, provide solar control, and maintain a strong connection to the surrounding environment. The pattern reflects the idea of mist moving through treetops, grounding the building in its local context.
The project is targeting a 6-Star Green Star rating, reflecting a commitment to sustainability while retaining and upgrading the existing structure.
308 Great North Road
At 308, the approach is one of restoration and evolution. Working from the building’s original design, the project brings it back to its architectural roots while introducing a contemporary extension to the rear using mass timber construction.
This blend of old and new creates a building that respects its history while adapting to modern needs, a reflection of how the wider precinct is evolving.
Looking Ahead
Together, these developments signal more than just physical change. They reflect a shift toward quality, design-led thinking, and a renewed sense of confidence in the area, helping to re-establish Great North Road as a destination for business, creativity, and community.
As these projects progress, they will contribute to the ongoing evolution of Great North Road and the wider Grey Lynn area.
Explore more of Samson’s projects
Chair Update: Turning Momentum into Action
Grey Lynn has a strong and established business community, and the BID gives us a real opportunity to shape its future in a practical and positive way.
As Interim Chair, my focus is simple: turning intent into action and delivering tangible outcomes for local businesses.
Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge and thank Marco Muniz and Michael for their contribution during the establishment phase of the BID. Their work has helped create a solid foundation for what comes next.
We are now entering a critical phase. Eight months in, it’s time to move beyond planning and ensure we are clearly delivering value - and that this value is visible to the businesses we represent.
Over the past month, I’ve been working closely with Christine to define immediate priorities and set up the next stage of activity. This includes:
- Establishing clear, actionable budgets
- Aligning resourcing to support delivery
- Prioritising key projects that will have a direct impact
With Council endorsement of our direction, the role of the Committee is to support this momentum and ensure we follow through.
We are a lean team, which means focus is critical. We’ll also be calling on Committee members to support specific initiatives as we move forward.
There is a significant amount to deliver, but there is also real opportunity. I’m energised by what lies ahead and confident in what we can achieve together.
Let’s get on with it.
Robin McDonnell
Interim Chair, Grey Lynn Business Association
What GLBA is Working On in 2026
By Christine Johnston, General Manager
As General Manager of Grey Lynn Business Association, my focus is on supporting our local businesses and helping build a strong, connected business community.
As we establish the BID, this year is about putting the right foundations in place - while also delivering practical value for our members.
Here’s what we’re working on:
Strategy & Direction
We are developing a refreshed strategy aligned with the Waitematā Local Board, ensuring GLBA plays a clear and effective role within the wider Auckland context.
Governance & Structure
We are strengthening governance frameworks and policies to ensure GLBA meets its obligations to:
- Members
- Auckland Council
- Staff and stakeholders
This work is focused on creating clarity, accountability, and a solid platform for future growth.
Budgeting & Resourcing
We are refining budgets and aligning resources to ensure we are investing in the right areas and delivering measurable outcomes for our members.
Member Engagement
A key priority is improving how we connect with and support our members - through clearer communications, more opportunities to get involved, and initiatives that add real value.
Security & Safety
We are exploring options to support business safety, including how tools such as “move on” orders may be applied within Grey Lynn.
Identity & Sense of Place
We have begun early work on defining a stronger identity for Grey Lynn - positioning it as a distinct and compelling destination within Auckland.
This will be approached carefully, with a focus on getting it right.
Looking Ahead
There is a lot underway, and we are building momentum.
I’m looking forward to connecting with more of you - understanding your business, your priorities, and how we can best support you.
If you’d like to chat, feel free to get in touch.
Christine Johnston
General Manager, Grey Lynn Business Association
Board member Josephine Dias-Kawhe - La Belle Poste
When Josephine Dias-Kawhe and her husband Joachim took over La Belle Poste cafe in Grey Lynn last April the first thing they did was survey their regulars. Anyone who only bought coffee was politely asked why they didn’t buy food too.
“What we found was many said they wanted meat on the menu too so we added that straight away and instantly noticed business improving,” Josephine said. “That reinforced to us how important it was to build strong relationships with those coming through the doors.
“I’m not talking about online comments, because those people won’t necessarily have ever come here. I’m talking about people who walk through the door. You’ve really got to be vulnerable with your community, be honest with them, tell them you’re finding it tough and could really use their help to stay open, and ask them what you need to do to make that happen. Use them to help spread the word about your business. That’s the most effective type of marketing.”
Building strong relationships is one of the reasons Josephine became a business association board member. She’s always taken an active role in her different communities - be they university, residential or business. And with 2026 looking to be another challenging year economically she’s keen for local businesses to work closely together to see how they can help each other through it.
She’s spent the last 11 years in the French town of Lyon (her husband is French) working as an early childhood chef - a job that’s at an entirely different level to a similar one in New Zealand. Think four course meals, menus approved a year in advance by the Mayoral Office and a nutritionist, and at least two vegetarian-only meals a month so that children learn the environmental impacts of meat and fish consumption. And a certain percentage of the menu has to be sourced within a 30km radius of the centre’s location.
“French children, from the time they’re babies, are educated in food, where it comes from, how it impacts carbon emissions and how it nourishes them. I’ve brought a lot of those values and way of thinking back with me to New Zealand. It’s how we run out business.”
https://www.instagram.com/labellepostecafe
Welcome Christine Johnston - Grey Lynn BID Manager
The Grey Lynn Business Association is welcoming a new manager with a clear focus on one thing: helping local businesses and the Grey Lynn community thrive. Christine Johnston is just a few days into her role, taking over from interim manager Michael Richardson who’s moving on to other projects.
Christine brings a broad mix of commercial, advocacy and not-for-profit experience to the role, most recently working with Business New Zealand and its shareholders including the Employers and Manufacturers Association . There, she supported organisations ranging from small owner-operators through to major corporates, working across advocacy, shared services and government engagement.
A consistent thread throughout her career has been a strong interest in business sustainability, not just environmental, but financial and operational as well.
“I’ve always been motivated by seeing businesses do well,” Christine says. “Whether that’s through better systems, stronger connections, or giving people confidence about the future.”
That philosophy is what drew her to Grey Lynn. She sees the association as a practical, local extension of the work she’s done nationally - supporting businesses at street level, where challenges and opportunities are most immediate.
In her first weeks, Christine says her priority will be meeting local business people and listening. Building relationships with members, understanding what’s working and what’s not, and making sure people know who she is and how to reach her.
Away from work, Christine is an early riser and a committed daily walker, time she uses to think, plan and reset. With an early career background in interior design, she also brings a strong appreciation for place, aesthetics and the small details that shape how communities feel.
Excited about the opportunities becoming a BID brings to GLBA, Christine foresees a busy and productive year ahead.
Getting Started with AI
Practical Tips for Small Businesses
Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday business life. But for many small business owners, the challenge isn’t understanding what AI is — it’s knowing how to start using it in a practical way.
The good news is you don’t need to be technical to benefit from AI. Many tools are designed to help with everyday tasks and can save time across marketing, administration, and communication.
Here are a few simple ways to begin.
Start Simple
Think of AI as a helpful assistant rather than a replacement for people.
You can use it for tasks like:
- Writing or improving emails
- Brainstorming ideas
- Explaining complex topics
- Tidying wording in documents
Small uses like these can quickly save time during the day.
Give It Context
AI works best when it understands your business.
Tell the tool:
- What your business does
- Who your customers are
- Your tone of voice
The more context you provide, the better the results will be.
Ask for Different Versions
You can easily shape the output by asking for adjustments.
For example:
- “Make it shorter.”
- “More friendly.”
- “More professional.”
- “Use a New Zealand tone.”
Treat the interaction like a conversation — refining the result until it works for you.
Use It to Improve Existing Content
AI is excellent at reviewing and refining content you already have.
Try pasting in:
- Website copy
- Social posts
- Menus or product descriptions
- Business bios
Then ask the AI to improve the clarity or tone.
Think of AI as a Marketing Assistant
AI tools can quickly help create first drafts of marketing content such as:
- Social media posts
- Product descriptions
- Email newsletters
- Seasonal promotions
- LinkedIn updates
You still guide the message — AI simply speeds up the process.
Useful AI Tools to Explore
A few beginner-friendly tools include:
ChatGPT
Great for writing, brainstorming, summarising documents, and creating marketing content.
Claude
Helpful for structured writing like proposals, policies, and reviewing long documents.
Canva AI
Useful for creating social media graphics, posters, and marketing materials.
Google Gemini
Works inside Gmail, Docs, and Sheets to help draft emails, summarise documents, and organise information.
Perplexity
A powerful research tool for competitor checks, market trends, and quick insights.
Start With 10 Minutes a Day
The easiest way to learn AI is simply to experiment.
Try spending 10 minutes a day drafting a post, writing an email, or testing a prompt. If one tool feels frustrating, try another — the right tool should make things easier, not harder.
Add in Share links (Share, LinkedIn.. Coming soon, Facebook)