Trade School Kitchen

23/02/2026

29/01/2026

Big congratulations to Missy our youngest ever trainee. Missy has now completed her first 5 weeks of work experience. Missy has blown us away with her commitment and desire to learn. Despite life’s challenges, Missy is turning up each day, learning and continuing to progress. We couldn’t be more proud. Keep it up Missy!

25/10/2025

PSA: Your baristas are taking Monday off!

We’re closed for Labour Day, so make sure you head in before we close to stock up and grab your coffee fix for Monday.

19/10/2025

We’re not just about good food and great coffee, we are about people, connection and community. There is always laughter, banter and authenticity in this place. We are so proud of the culture we have built here. Come and experience it for yourself.

16/10/2025

18-19th Oct Lower Hutt Art Trail
Meet Dorian Everard .everard.artist, one of the incredible artists lighting up this year’s Lower Hutt Art Trail! Known for his expressive use of colour and layered textures, Dorian’s work captures the beauty in everyday moments. Catch his pieces on display at Te Mako Community Centre and come say hello during the Art Trail weekend from the 18th-19th October 10am-4pm.

The trail offers more than 30 stops, including 3 in Naenae; Naenae Menz Shed, Wesley Rata Village and Te Mako.

13/10/2025

Look at these handsome devils! This is regular Teddy and his human Damien from Cambridge Motors. At Trade School Kitchen, dogs are always welcome! Bring your furry friends along while you enjoy a coffee, a bite to eat, or just hang out in our sunny spots. Peanut butter on offer for the doggos. Treats for humans AND pups!

12/10/2025

Matcha made in heaven! We’ve finally succumbed to the hype and are now serving up your favourite green drink. Served hot or iced with your choice of milk. It’s the perfect way to find your morning zen.

09/10/2025

Mental Health Awareness Week, Day 5: Keep Learning/Me Ako Tonu. Evidence suggests that learning or trying new things creates a sense of achievement, competence and stimulates engagement with the world around us. Sometimes it can feel hard to be a learner. We all want to be experts immediately and skip the uncomfortable part where we just don’t know what we are doing. But, learning new things, new skills in the right context, with safe people, can make all the difference. This is our friend Lyndon. His claim to fame is that he is married to our wonderful bookkeeper Erin. He came into the cafe feeling a bit down in the dumps. We offered him the opportunity to learn some coffee skills from Kirk and even though he had a camera on him, after the lesson the bad mood faded away. Learning filled with laughter is always a mood booster!

07/10/2025

Mental Health Awareness Week Day 3: BE ACTIVE
ME KORI TONU
Moving your body is a powerful way to care for your mind. Whether it’s a walk in the bush, a bike ride, or stretching under the trees, movement can calm the mind, ease stress, and boost your mood. This photo is the beautiful Haillee walking her family dog with other TSK whānau in our local ngahere. If you would like some tips on where to go for a wander in nature with your delicious takeaway coffee in hand just ask our staff!

05/10/2025

Today is day one of Mental Health Awareness Week 2025. CONNECT - ME WHAKAWHANAUNGA. Spending time with whānau, friends, and community reminds us we’re not alone. A kōrero, a shared meal, or simply checking in can uplift our wellbeing and strengthen our sense of belonging. At Trade School Kitchen connection is core to who we are and why we exist. Building connections and combatting loneliness is part of our DNA. When life is feeling tough it’s easy to isolate ourselves and hide away. But connection is at the heart of wellbeing. Who could you reach out to today?