Chef Monique Fiso worked in New York’s top restaurants before returning home to open the celebrated Māori and Samoan restaurant HIAKAI in Wellington.

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Poppies

Winery
91 Puruatanga Road, Martinborough 5711, New Zealand
Poppies

"There’s another place called Poppies, and they are also making some really delicious wines. If you do have a chance, head for lunch and get their lunch platter with matching wines, which has little bits and pieces they’ve cooked like pork belly, nuts, marinated olives, and it’s all delicious."

Monique FISO

Huntress Wines

Small batch wines
15 Ellice Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington 6001, New Zealand
Huntress Wines

"Huntress Wines is run by Jannine Rickards, and she is this foraging-hunting force of nature. She’s a very well-respected winemaker who has branched off and started her own line of wines, with very interesting blends, and we've got a couple on the menu at the moment."

Monique FISO

Rasa Malaysia Restaurant

Malaysian restaurant
200 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Rasa Malaysia Restaurant

"Rasa is kind of a Wellington institution and does the most delicious dosa. It's one of those places I like to go after work on a Tuesday."

Monique FISO

Ortega Fish Shack

Seafood restaurant
16 Majoribanks Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Ortega Fish Shack

"Ortega Fish Shack has been going for a long time, with good food and great service, and a really extensive and interesting wine list. They have been running for probably close to 20 years now — you don't last that long without being bang-on professionals."

Monique FISO

Dragons

Chinese restaurant
25 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Dragons

"Dragons does yum cha, if you want to have a slightly different take on brunch. It’s quite close to the waterfront too, so you could go for a walk, pop in for some yum cha, then go for another walk."

Monique FISO

HIAKAI

New zealand restaurant
40 Wallace Street, Mount Cook, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
HIAKAI

"Manaakitangatranslates simply as hospitality. It's something we discuss a lot at HIAKAI. But whatmanaakitangameans to me is hospitality in the sense of kindness and empathy towards others, and being welcoming and treating others as family."

Monique FISO

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