10/11/2026
Well, I suppose it's about time I introduced myself properly! 3years in the making and I still wouldnt know what to write! 🤣🤷♀️🤦♀️
I'm Emma, the face behind Kōtuku Collective, who's spent a fair few years working in hospitality.👩🍳
I've pretty much done a bit of everything over the years, from dishhand, waitressing, bar work, barista, line cook, right through to owner operator! And then even built a pub out of pallets! So it's fair to say hospitality has been a big part of my life for a long time.......but outside of the kitchen, my life probably isn't quite as straightforward as you'd think.
I'm a solo mum to my son Troy, who was born at just 29 weeks weighing a tiny 900 grams. Fast forward to today, he's non-verbal, autistic, AuDHD, has global developmental delay and a rare chromosome deletion. So as you can imagine, life can be pretty full-on, and there's never really a dull moment!
And that's a big part of why Kōtuku Collective came about in 2024.
Working your typical Monday to Friday, nine-to-five job just wasn't realistic for me. Between appointments, schooling, therapies, surgeries and everything else that comes with raising a child with high needs, I needed something that could work around our life rather than the other way around.
So here we are! Running my own business, juggling motherhood, catering, coffee, fine dinning, events and everything else in between. It's definitely not your typical lifestyle, and some days are a lot more chaotic than others, but I've managed to build something that allows me to continue doing what I love while still being the mum Troy needs.
And that's a little bit about me and how Kōtuku Collective came to be! 🐦⬛🌿
