Queen of hospo comes home
Manu, the latest creation of celebrated restaurateur Karen Hattaway, is Christchurch’s newest restaurant – a veritable phoenix of Pacific Glam, cultural pride, and superior hospitality.
I identify with the spirit of beautiful Christchurch,” Karen says. “I’m so proud of what the community is creating in the rebuild.”
Manu, meaning feathered creature or bird, is Karen’s seventh restaurant and her first in Christchurch.
Its Pacific-Asian cuisine is presented with essential Hattaway glamour. Patrons are presented with more than just great food – they’re offered support, protection, care, and generosity. In other words, true manaakitanga.
“Yes, she’s a restaurant, but she’s interesting and colourful and brings even more diversity and culture to this already thriving and vibrant city. It’s a celebration of who we are.”
Karen’s previous restaurants in Queenstown earned her the moniker ‘Queen of Hospo’ and included the famous Captains, Pier 19, and award-winning Blue Kanu, which for many years ranked number one in New Zealand and in the top one per cent of restaurants worldwide on Tripadvisor.
“But this really is a homecoming for me, coming back to Christchurch where I was born. There is no better place to explore my whakapapa and learn my culture,” she says.
Karen was displaced from her culture from a very young age. Adopted by lovely Pākehā parents in Gore, she unfortunately experienced serious childhood trauma at the hands of a family member.
“At the age of nine, I had to take my power back. I threatened to tell someone what they were doing, and I saw the fear in their eyes, and that was the moment I realised I had power.”
That power has stayed within her, helping her build a legacy in Queenstown that no one thought was possible.
“I remember 11 years ago when I started Blue Kanu, people told me it’s not going to work, it’s too brown. But that’s a wonderful fire for me. Tell me I can’t, and I will.”
But, she says, times have thankfully changed, and the support she’s experiencing cannot be understated.
“As I’ve been creating her, Manu’s been growing with the energy of Christchurch, of everyone who’s worked on the project.
“My friends say I’m mad,” she says with a laugh. “I’m not getting younger, and they tell me I should slow down and smell the coffee, not keep making it.”
Karen had the best intentions of retiring when she handed over the keys to Blue Kanu last year, to spend some time back in Christchurch resting and exploring her heritage.
“But in November, Manu ‘came to me’, and I immediately identified with what she was. Yes, Manu means feathered creatures, but she’s far more than that – wings can be angels, they can offer protection and comfort, they can rise as a phoenix.”
The passion is clear as Karen searches for the words to describe the atmosphere she’s creating with Manu.
“The only way I know to create a platform is by creating safe spaces. And, to me, that’s a restaurant with beautiful service and great food. And I know, through the love of food, that I can do some good for our community.”
She has big plans to support the community, including a scholarship fund and donating 50c from every cocktail sold to survivors of sexual violence and trauma.
“I just feel like I had some unfinished business, especially when it came to looking after our wāhine, our beautiful women.
“It feels so good to come home with strength and purpose.”