Turning a Page
It’s been three months since stepping away from Xero. In that time, I’ve felt like I’ve been floating—caught between the world I left behind and the one I’m trying to build. After years of remote work, I now find myself helping run a business from home.
I’ve leaned into the strengths I’ve built over time—strategy, process improvement, change, spreadsheets, and storytelling—all things I can manage comfortably from my home office. And in many ways, I’ve been productive. I’ve connected more deeply with the girls, taken over running the whare, and even finished and listed a space on Airbnb. We’ve welcomed five manuhiri in our first month.
But that wasn’t the plan.
This business was always meant to be grounded in the community—to show up, be visible, and build relationships kanohi ki te kanohi. It was never just about work; it was about people. Built on trust, presence, and connection.
Old habits are hard to break, and I’ve caught myself slipping into the familiar. But I know that being present—being seen—brings new energy and direction to this kaupapa. It’s time to stop circling the same ideas and step fully into the next chapter—out in the open, face to face, where this story was always meant to unfold.
That brings me to a place we call The Yard—153 Pukepoto Road, Kaitaia. It’s our humble office and warehouse, and if you read my first blog, you’ll know it holds deep meaning for our whānau.
Pictured below is my Papa, Karena Colin Pukeroa, on his motorbike. It was his last day of mahi, captured just outside The Yard. It’s a photo that means a lot to us—marking not just the end of one chapter, but the beginning of another. Papa played a massive role in my life, even though he passed away when I was only seven. From letting me cheat at cards, to our cuppa teas, to giving me $50 for school lunch when I was six—it’s those small moments that have stuck with me.
His presence is still felt—not just in this place, but in our lives.
If I were to describe our tari, I’d say it’s simple and practical. The goal now is to breathe new life into it—to create a space that feels vibrant and reflects who we are. I think that kind of environment will encourage me to spend more time there.
Even now, I still find myself drawn to dashboards filled with graphs and numbers—a kind of visual pulse showing what needs to happen today to get to tomorrow. That pull probably traces back to my time at Trade Me, where screens tracked everything in real time. It made the work feel alive and purposeful.
These days, the pulse feels different. Less about dashboards, more about face-to-face conversations, cups of coffee, and shared spaces. That shift isn’t easy—but it feels right. It’s what this kaupapa needs: presence over pixels, people over processes.
Of course, I’m still going to have screens and dashboards 😊—they help keep things moving. But now they’ll sit alongside the kōrero, the coffee, and the community. That balance feels like a good place to build from.
The Yard has been a home to small businesses for years. Stonecraft has been here the longest, and North Stitch Upholstery came around a similar time to us. If your couch needs some love, they’re the ones to see. More recently, The Drop In—a coffee and surf shop—opened its doors here, bringing a fresh buzz to the place.
It’s starting to feel like we’re growing a small business community together. We’re always tossing around ideas, trying things, and supporting each other in whatever way we can.
So if you’re after a decent coffee, some surf gear, or your furniture could use a refresh—come on down to 153 Pukepoto Road.
But more than that—come for the people. Come for a kōrero. This place isn’t just where we work; it’s where we dream, build, and figure things out together. Whether you’re thinking about new floors, small business life, or just navigating change—we’d love to hear your story, too.
This chapter feels like the start of something new.
And it’s better shared.