DUTCH FLAVOURS, WAIPU HEART

A shared love of food, tradition, and community has seen this Waipu based couple quietly build a loyal following through handcrafted baking and heartfelt connection.

For Petra and Ludo, food has always been more than sustenance – it has been a way to connect, celebrate, and share culture. Originally from Holland, the couple immigrated to New Zealand in 2007, spending two years in Pukekohe before settling in Waipu. It was here, surrounded by a close-knit community and a slower pace of life, that their passion for baking blossomed.

The seeds of their business were planted in the most unassuming way: a Dutch apple crumble cake brought into work for a birthday celebration. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, sparking a simple but powerful question – could there be a place in Bream Bay for homemade baking that blended Dutch heritage with European influence and a subtle Kiwi twist?

With entrepreneurial instincts and plenty of curiosity, Petra and Ludo began small, baking from their shed using a modest oven and selling at the Waipu Boutique Market every second Sunday. More than 13 years on, what began as a humble market stall has grown into a well-established mobile bakery.

Today, the couple can be found baking weekly in Waipu, with a regular Saturday morning stall at the Waipu Museum carpark, appearances at long-weekend street markets, and a continued presence at the much-loved Waipu Boutique Market.

While their pastries are a drawcard, sourdough bread sits at the heart of their offering. The smell of freshly baked sourdough on a Saturday morning is, they say, hard to beat – a ritual that brings as much joy to them as it does to their customers. “There is no better feeling than seeing the smile on peoples faces when they arrive at our stall and we can share our passion,” the couple says.

Deeply grateful for the support of the Waipu community, Petra and Ludo credit local loyalty as the reason they continue to do what they love. For them, sharing good food is sharing joy – and it’s a passion they look forward to continuing for many years to come.

www.facebook.com/petra.s.pastries.2025

E. petravandulst@gmail.com