From Paris to paradise
From French bistros to New York dreams, globe-trotting chef Paul Patterson has found his anchor at Ōhiwa Harbour's Fisherman’s Wharf.
From French bistros to New York dreams, globe-trotting chef Paul Patterson has found his anchor at Ōhiwa Harbour's Fisherman’s Wharf.
words SUE HOFFART
photos CLAIRE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY
Fijian-Kiwi chef Paul Patterson admits it was fun rather than food that lured him into commercial kitchens. The Ōhope restaurateur was 15 when he began washing dishes in a city pizzeria, relishing the vibrant social scene and comparative maturity of his female workmates. But everything shifted on the night a short-staffed chef called him to the stove.
“I was chucked in the deep end and I loved it,” he says. “By the time I was 16, I was half-running the pizza joint.”
So began a culinary career that has taken him to Paris, New York and to the Waiheke Island bowling club. He has flown to Glastonbury music festival to cook for celebrities and once scooped an award at the barbeque world championships in the American city of Memphis.
There have been a few additional stops along the way, too. Like starting a horticulture degree and completing an auto engineering diploma, with stints as a drainlayer, a security guard and photographer for a music industry magazine. Not to mention appearances on reality television show The Bachelorette. “But I always end up back in the kitchen.”
Now, at 40, he is settling into small-town life while casting for kingfish out the window of the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant he has purchased on the edge of Ōhiwa Harbour. It was an act of charity that introduced him to the coastal community three years ago.
Paul had agreed to donate a personal chef experience for an animal welfare fundraising event, held at the Ōhope Beach Golf Links clubhouse each year. On that first visit, he was gobsmacked by the stunning beach backed by rolling hills and an especially relaxing rural ambiance.
During a subsequent stay, for the same event, he discovered a wharfside eatery with a bank of wooden windows that overlook darting stingrays, sailboats and a waterway stocked with fresh oysters.
Paul claims he pestered the previous owner into selling. Last year, he and partner Sarah Day moved their toddler son Hendrix to Ōhope to immerse themselves in a different kind of life.
“It’s a really beautiful place and this region is amazing, with the water and the bush. I can watch people floundering out the front here and 40 minutes’ drive from work, I can shoot a deer. A 40 minute boat ride and I can catch a marlin.
“I have customers with a gin distillery and there’s an island across the harbour with an avocado orchard on it. You can’t really beat it.”
Paul admits he was vastly less enthusiastic about the New Zealand lifestyle when Covid forced him to leave his central Parisian apartment and fly home in March 2020. He had been living on the banks of the Seine river, working as a restaurant consultant responsible for opening more than a dozen eateries in Paris and beyond.
In fact, he was weeks from launching an eatery in New York’s Lower Manhattan when the global pandemic scuppered not only the restaurant but his own plan to live part of the year on that side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Suddenly, Paris became eerily empty and Paul’s Fijian-born mother and Kiwi dad begged him to return to Auckland. He found himself marooned, unable to return to the bright lights of his former life and unsure how to move forward in his homeland.
It was, he says, a tough pill to swallow. So he dug drains to fund a new restaurant business in Parnell. When that didn’t work out, he moved to Waiheke Island to run the kitchen inside the island’s sole bowling club.
During his tenure, membership swelled from 300 to 900 members. His brief and unlikely screen career was sparked by an unsolicited casting call for The Bachelorette. He said no. However, he warmed to the idea after a few too many glasses of Bourbon with friends.
“And, actually, it was great. It was definitely a fun experience. You learn a lot about yourself. You’re stuck in a house with no phones, no music, no TV, so you have a lot of time to be in your own head. It was therapy.”
As always, he returned to his chef whites. “Yes, I love the food, the creativity, the thrill of getting a menu perfect but it’s more than that. For me, the kitchen is a place of crazy ups and downs, with a lot of emotions and a lot of pressure. You’re forever chasing something, trying to fix something, get better service, a better dining experience, better leadership of your staff. It’s addictive.”
On April 5, Paul will host a ‘Scales and Ales’ beer and seafood event for the Flavours of Plenty Festival. His ‘Cray Tales and Cocktails’ evening is scheduled for the following Saturday.
Celebrate the Eastern Bay
If stunning scenery and sun-filled days aren’t enough to draw you to Whakatāne and Ōhope this autumn, event season certainly will – and there are plenty to choose from.
If stunning scenery and sun-filled days aren’t enough to draw you to Whakatāne and Ōhope this autumn, event season certainly will – and there are plenty to choose from.
Flavours of Plenty events
Scales and Ale’s
Saturday, April 5
An evening of exceptional flavours at Fisherman’s Wharf. Indulge in a four-course dinner, each course paired with craft beers sourced from the region. Enjoy delicious, locally grown produce while taking in the stunning harbour views. This event is a must for beer lovers and foodies, offering a fusion of taste and ambiance. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable culinary experience, showcasing local brews and seasonal ingredients.
Tamariki Foodie Fair
Saturday, April 5
Treat your youngsters to a day of delight at the Tamariki Foodie Fair – the ultimate foodie event for children, offering fun, sensory experiences such as blind tasting, nut cracking, face painting, stilt walkers and food demonstrations for kids by kids. Food trucks will be there to serve kids’ favourite treats throughout the day at Wharfside overlooking Ōhiwa Harbour. Treat your Tamariki to a day of delight – the perfect day out for families. Free entry ensures everyone can join in, with delicious treats and selected activities for purchase.
Late Summer Farm Kitchen
Saturday, April 5
A unique farm-to-table experience celebrating the joy of cooking, sharing and savouring local produce. Set on a beautiful family farm with expansive gardens and a hand-built barn, this long summer lunch is part workshop, part cooking class, and part indulgent feast. Guests will enjoy a hands-on experience before sitting down to a long, leisurely lunch built around the best seasonal produce the farm has to offer. Whether a seasoned cook or a beginner, there’s the option to get involved or simply relax with a glass of wine and soak up the rural charm while enjoying great food, local wines, and warm hospitality.
Discover Wainui's Food Secrets Tour
Saturday, April 12
Join this exclusive food tour through Wainui, where you’ll explore the region’s best-kept edible secrets. It will take you to five carefully selected stops, each with its own remarkable story. From the oyster farms of Ōhiwa Harbour, where cultural significance meets sustainable farming, to the unlikely truffle success story, the journey unfolds as you meet local producers and taste their creations.
A Taste of Wainui Marketplace
Saturday, April 12
Celebrate the first-ever Wainui Producers Market, held in the picturesque Waingarara Valley. This free, family-friendly event showcases the region’s best food producers, offering fresh oysters and organic produce to truffles, olives, honey, macadamia nuts, berries, ice cream and wood-fired pizza. A licensed bar will be available for beer and wine purchases, while live entertainment adds to the fun atmosphere. Enjoy lunch, shop, and discover unique local produce in this scenic, community-focused event.
Cray Tails and Cocktails
Saturday, April 12
Enjoy four delicious crayfish dishes, each paired with a cocktail, all served in a laid-back atmosphere at Fisherman’s Wharf. With local produce, stunning waterfront views, and a relaxed vibe, this evening is all about indulging in tasty food and having fun. Whether you're a seafood fan or just looking for a casual night out, this event is one you won't want to miss.
To purchase tickets to any of these events, visit:
Retail paradise
If you make a weekend of it, be sure to save time for some retail therapy. Whakatāne and Ōhope have a selection of beautiful boutiques, featuring well-loved national and international brands.
Whakatāne
Whakatāne’s CBD has come of age in recent years. The attractive and bustling town centre makes it easy to roam with a range of boutique shops. After some retail therapy, soak up the plentiful sunshine at one of the outdoor eateries. Veer off the main drag and you’ll also find a few hidden gems.
TOP PICKS
Ōhope
Although it can be hard to drag yourself away from the waves of New Zealand’s most-loved beach, it’s worth taking a pit-stop at Ōhope Village to enjoy the laid-back shopping scene. Distinct and 4Artsake both offer beautiful giftware, art, clothing and accessories.
Make your bed
George Street Linen is one of those rare retail gems that is a delight to discover. Browse the ultimate selection of New Zealand-designed premium bed linen and bedding in a charming, light-filled store, abundantly stocked with inspirational textiles, home fragrances, and giftware. Their knowledgeable, friendly team prides themselves on hands-on service and passion for the brand.
110 The Strand
GEORGESTREETLINEN.COM
Style by design
Stocking top New Zealand and international labels – Deadly Ponies, Kathryn Wilson, NYNE, Elk, Lolly's Laundry, Zoe Kratzmann, Briarwood and POM Amsterdam among them – Capiz is centrally located in the heart of the shopping precinct. Its carefully curated range has made it Whakatāne’s boutique destination of choice for designer fashion, footwear, handbags and accessories.
156 The Strand
CAPIZ.CO.NZ
Other events
West End Wiggle 2025
Friday, April 11 – Sunday April 13
A traditional longboard festival presented by Salt Air Surf, this weekend includes lots of surf, art and music. This will be the event’s sixth year running.
Farming Like Grandad & Country Fair
Saturday, April 12
Experience farming as it used to be. Clydesdale horses, sheep shearing, farm animals, tractors, and farm machinery, food, music and much more for a fun day out for the whole family.
Ōhiwa Oyster Festival
Saturday, May 17
Don't miss out on this unforgettable celebration of oysters and local culture at Wharfside Ōhope. The opening ceremony will blend oyster appreciation with cultural celebration. Savour mouthwatering oysters, explore local food stalls, and groove to live entertainment from 12pm to 4pm.