With her family, she runs an iconic convenience store in east Auckland and talks to PJ TAYLOR of their philosophy of operating a small business in their community.
Where were you born and grew up?
I was born in Rajasthan in northwest India. It’s personified by its historic palaces and immense desert.
Rajasthan means Land of Kings. How was it living there?
Very simple. No one was in pursuit of money or fame. People were very content with what little they had, and it was a very happy place. Every neighbour was like family. Everyone would share food and items daily even when they had little or nothing to give. The community was like no other. Rajasthan has an immensely rich culture formed from centuries of royal ruling – it’s a popular tourist spot to learn about the heritage of India for tourists worldwide. I’m the youngest of six siblings who kept me grounded but also competitive and my parents both tried their absolute best to give us the best life they could with Dad retiring from the army to open a welding business.
Why did you leave India and when was your New Zealand arrival?
I got married to my husband Narender in 1991. He was already settled in New Zealand. I remained in India for the next two years completing my Masters of Commerce degree and arrived here in 1993.
How long have you been owner-operators of Four Square Cockle Bay?
We took over in mid-2008, in the middle of the Global Financial Crisis – fantastic time to invest in a business! – joking. Prior, I worked in the office at Pak’n’Sav Glen Innes and Narender was a merchandising/beverages specialist at Mainland. Our son and daughter helped us in this business in between their school and university days. Currently, my husband, son and I work alongside our fantastic team. Our son and daughter were born and brought up in east Auckland. They finished their education at Auckland University and have settled in Auckland.
What’s your approach to being an active small business in your community?
Being active in the community is simple. The community supports us and has done so for many years, so we support the community back in every way we can. We supply schools for both food and monetary donations, supply the Howick Santa Parade, feed those in need free of charge via multiple in-house programmes, and support many official charities such as Give a Kid a Blanket, SPCA, Leprosy Foundation, Starship Hospital, and Guru Nanaks Kitchen who feed the homeless of Auckland every month. It’s important to us that we remain present in the community, and in the off chance we aren’t working we’re trotting around Howick or Cockle Bay supporting our local businesses.
It’s the 100th summer of Four Square stores in New Zealand. They’re a business cultural icon. How are you celebrating the centenary?
We have four exclusive products from your household names such as Fruju, Cookie Time, Watties, and Behemoth in store now. We also have Four Square hundy merch (caps, drink bottles, tote bags and playing cards) to celebrate this amazing milestone. Four Square is one of New Zealand’s most iconic brands, a pillar of multiple communities up and down the country and is proof Kiwi owned and operated can compete with major global organisations!
In conjunction with the Times during the lead-up to Christmas, you generously gave away five food packages a week to local families. Why did you do that?
To give back to those in need in the community. Times are hard, but we think no one should go to bed hungry. In addition to the food packages, we also put cartons of food in our local food pantry on Whitford Road, weekly in the lead-up to Christmas, for the same reason. This ties into my childhood and community I was in Rajasthan, based on sharing and helping your neighbour, something I’ve carried forward with me throughout my life. My life mantra is: “You always can share a pinch with others of whatever you had in your hand.”
Opening a convenience store occupies a lot of your time. What do you enjoy when not working?
Taking our dog, Junior, on walks around east Auckland. I love cooking and my family loves eating, so this occupies much of our time. In saying that, we work seven days a week. We wouldn’t be able to do that if we didn’t absolutely love what we did and who we do it for. Listening to our community tell us about their day, or tell a joke, makes the job so much easier.
Where are some of your favourite places in the east?
I love going to Musick Point, Point View Reserve, Mellons Bay Beach, and of course, Cockle Bay Beach with the pup. We also love heading out to local cafes and Howick Village Markets on Saturday mornings.
If there was anything you’d like changed in New Zealand society, what would that be?
New Zealand is the most beautiful melting pot of cultures and backgrounds. I’d love to see this grow more and acceptance for others grow too. One thing that concerns me in recent years is the crime and violence amongst Kiwis. We have been victims to multiple break-ins and ram-raid style robberies which is disheartening after putting your heart and soul into the business seven days a week, year after year. I hope we can do better to understand one another’s pains to find direction for this misled youth, so we can go back to feeling safe in our own homes and workplaces. I know it’s possible. Kiwis can do anything we put our mind to!
