FROM RESET TO REFRESH
A sudden change of direction has seen Amara pop up on Matakana’s main street with Canned Matakana – quickly becoming the drink of the summer.
After leaving her full-time job working on boats rather suddenly, Amara returned home to Matakana to rest, reset, and figure out her next move. Just 48 hours later, a lightbulb moment struck and the idea of buying a caravan and selling drinks began to take shape.
Scrolling on social media isn’t all bad when inspiration strikes. It was here Amara discovered a unique canning machine and knew immediately she wanted to bring the concept to Matakana. She travelled to Melbourne to collect it personally, returning to New Zealand with one of only a handful of these machines in the country.
She knew looks alone weren’t going to be enough – the quality had to match. Amara sources high-quality organic matcha from New Zealand brand Matcha Matcha, New Zealand–grown boysenberries for her berry compote, and Ark Coffee for her iced coffee. Through this process, she was introduced to Ulala at Ark Coffee and felt an immediate connection. The two bonded over shared dance backgrounds, supportive families, and, of course, coffee.
“I love meeting people when there is just a natural click. I knew I wanted to use Ark Coffee because I loved Ulala’s ethos and the pulse of passion and integrity that runs through her incredible business – which, in turn, means her coffee beans. It means a lot to me that I can serve every coffee knowing the energetic quality behind it,” Amara says.
Amara also speaks to the influence of the people she has met and worked with over the years. Her time on the boats – learning how to work hard and stay steady through long days – laid a strong foundation. Working with Matthew Casey at SOURCE Kitchen, she absorbed his respect and integrity for food and for his clients – the meeting of those values producing an outcome of excellence. And after working for Sophie Hauser every summer for eight years, Amara found inspiration not only in her craft but in her example as a business owner – making it especially meaningful to now have her caravan parked outside Sophie’s store, Bach.
Canned Matakana is set to be the drink of the summer – ice-cold, locally poured, and served all season long.