Giving wings to others
For Karen Hattaway, owner of Christchurch restaurant Manu, hospitality is more than just a job – it’s a calling.
Alongside running the successful Asian-Pacific-New Zealand fusion restaurant on Cambridge Terrace, Karen Hattaway is deeply committed to another cause: the safety and success of women in hospitality.
In recent years, drink spiking has become an epidemic in nightclubs and bars, both in Christchurch and around the world. A particularly high-profile case in the city brought the issue even closer to home.
Seeing the impact of this problem, Karen launched the ‘Giving Wings to Others’ and ‘Birds of a Feather’ programmes to start a conversation and provide real solutions to combat drink spiking and support women in hospitality.
What’s Karen’s why?
“The stories I hear are heartbreaking,” Karen says. “I see so much trauma in our community. Unfortunately, many women have endured terrible experiences. There are so many people feeling vulnerable.”
Understanding this trauma has given Karen a mission – to use her resources to support these women.
“I’ve created platforms through hospitality to give a voice to these issues and spotlight areas where we need to work harder as a community,” she explains.
“The biggest challenge is safety. We shouldn’t just accept this terrible behaviour – we should challenge it.”
So, how is she tackling the problem?
“I’ve created a couple of tools that I thought would be helpful to the hospitality sector,” Karen says.
One of her most effective resources is a reusable drink protector. These silicone covers fit over an eight or ten-centimetre cocktail glass, leaving only a small opening for a straw – eliminating the opportunity for drink spiking.
“We give them out to all our female guests here at Manu, and we have a chat about why it’s important,” she says.
But beyond just distributing these tools, Karen emphasises the importance of conversation.
“Everybody finds a need for it, and it starts a discussion about how to stay safe. We’re all connected in some way.”
At Manu, dialogue is encouraged right from the start, not just around women’s safety but also helping them reach their potential. The first page of the restaurant’s cocktail menu carries a powerful message:
“Thank you for choosing one of our cocktails tonight! With every purchase, 50 cents is contributed to our ‘Giving Wings to Others’ fund. Your support has just helped someone take flight, earning you the title of a ‘Manu Angel.’”
So, what is the purpose of the fund?
Manu’s ‘Giving Wings to Others’ fund is dedicated to empowering women to reach their full potential. The initiative provides financial assistance to help women pursue their ambitions and soar to new heights. A key focus is fostering leadership and excellence among women in various fields.
Beyond financial support, the fund prioritises the creation of safe and supportive environments where women feel valued and encouraged. By nurturing spaces that promote growth and success, the initiative ensures that all women have equal opportunities to thrive.
Additionally, the fund extends a helping hand to women facing challenges, offering resources to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
At its core, ‘Giving Wings to Others’ is about more than just financial support – it’s about creating a culture of empowerment, safety, and opportunity for women in hospitality and beyond.