Talofa lava & kia ora koutou,
January always feels like a quiet exhale, a moment to pause after the fullness of December and step into the new year with intention. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share a little about who I am.
For those I haven’t met yet, I’m Leilana - a proud Samoan island girl, born and raised.
I grew up in Samoa, where my mum’s chicken and chips and fish and chips brought people together long before hospitality became my world. After moving to Aotearoa in my late teens, I spent 15 years working in major events, before stepping into café ownership - an unexpected but natural next chapter.
I was raised in a Samoan household where faith comes first, followed closely by family and community, and where hospitality is a way of life. Where you feed people before yourself, where no one leaves hungry, and where service is deeply valued - tautua, the belief that the road to leadership is through service.
As the eldest of seven children, I naturally became the organiser - the planner, the one making sure everyone was accounted for and looked after. Those values continue to guide how I show up every day.
My role across Hill House and Farm House centres around moments.
Moments worth celebrating.
Moments shared around tables.
Moments people remember long after the plates are cleared and the chairs are stacked.
I’m often behind the scenes helping turn ideas into experiences — weddings, birthdays, fundraisers, and community gatherings - making sure the details are taken care of so people can be fully present. It’s a privilege to be trusted with those moments, and one I never take lightly.
One of the most special parts of this journey has been seeing how our community shows up. From everyday coffees to life’s big milestones, there’s a genuine sense of connection that runs through everything we do.
As we step into the year ahead, I’m looking forward to what’s still to come — new stories, familiar faces, and many more reasons to gather around the table.
Thank you for choosing to spend your time with us. Whether you’re joining us for a celebration or a simple coffee, please know this:
You are all part of our aiga (family). You are always welcome at our table.
Fa'afetai tele ma ia manuia,
Lana
STAFF OVER HOLIDAYS
RESTED, RECHARGED & READY FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
After an incredibly big year, our team headed into close-down for a truly well-deserved break. It was so special to see everyone take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy themselves — whether that meant travelling to Samoa, Singapore, Bangkok and Australia, or exploring a little closer to home.
These moments away are just as important as the ones spent together at work, and seeing our team come back refreshed, energised, and smiling has been the best way to kick off the new year. We’re so grateful for this incredible group of people and can’t wait to share what’s ahead.
BOTTOMS UP BRUNCH
PRIDE IS COMING TO THE LAWN!
This February, we’re celebrating Pride in full colour with our Bottoms Up Brunch — a camp, cheeky, joy-filled bottomless brunch with drag, bubbles, and big energy.
Think hosted lawn brunch, fabulous performances, and 90 minutes of serving Canti (our sparkling rosé of choice).
🗓 7 Feb | Farm House Café
Hosted by Anita Wigl'it & Kita Mean
🗓 14 Feb | Hill House Café
Hosted by Buckwheat & Tess Tickles
Expect sparkle, sass, and a whole lot of Pride love 🥂
SUMMER SPRITZ CONTINUES - HOT DEMAND
JANUARY: SUMMER SPRITZ CONTINUED!
Summer Spritz Month was SUCH a hit in December that… we’re keeping the party going!
January is officially Spritz Season 2 — bigger, bubblier, and now with mocktail spritzes so everyone can join in.
We’re bringing back all your favourites — available both alcoholic and some non-alcoholic.
(Trust us… she’s delicious. The moment Peter, Mike & Lana tried it, they said “YUP, this is summer.”)
Here’s what’s pouring this month:
🍊 Aperol Spritz — bitter, bright, a slice of Italian holiday bliss
🍃 Hugo Spritz — elderflower, mint, refreshingly light
🍋 Limoncello Spritz — zesty, vibrant, pure sunshine
🥭 Passionfruit & Vanilla Spritz — tropical, elegant, lightly sweet (now available as a mocktail!)
🍓 Strawberry Spritz — iconic, juicy, bubbly sweetness (also now in mocktail form!)
Sip, sip, hooray — the spritz era continues!
Full menu + details are in our Linktree below.
Discover a little more SPRITZ HERE
GELATOOOOOOOOOOOO
WHAT'S HOT (AND COLD!) IN OUR GELATO WORLD THIS SUMMER
It’s officially gelato season at both of our cafés!
At Hill House, our mini gelato cart is scooping all day during opening hours — the perfect sweet treat after a meal or even a walk through the gallery.
At Farm House, our lil Gelato Pod (by the digger playground) is open Friday–Sunday all summer, proudly manned by the one and only Chance — bringing the good music, good energy, and serious gelato vibes.
Cool down, treat yourself, and scoop your way through summer with us.
HIGH TEAS
HIGH TEA RETURNS FOR Season 2026!
Our much-loved High Tea is officially back for the 2026 season, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you back for celebrations both big and small.
Carefully crafted by our talented kitchen team, our High Tea is all about beautiful flavours, thoughtful detail, and moments worth lingering over — perfect for birthdays, special occasions, and long catch-ups with loved ones.
This year, we’re thrilled to be able to accommodate larger group bookings, making it even easier to celebrate together in style.
Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a big celebration, High Tea at Hill House is the perfect way to mark the moment.
2026 IS A WEDDING YEAR
WEDDINGS
2026 is shaping up to be a big wedding year, and we’re so excited to be welcoming couples to celebrate with us. With two truly unique venues — each offering their own character, charm, and sense of place — we create weddings that feel personal, relaxed, and unforgettable.
Our menus are built around the very best fresh, seasonal produce, thoughtfully crafted by our kitchen team to reflect the way you want to celebrate.
If you, or someone you know, is looking for a wedding venue that’s a little different (and a lot special), we’d love to hear from you.
We’re proud to be featured on Auckland Weddings and NZ Venues. For wedding inspiration and real event imagery, explore Farm House Cafe on Auckland Weddings and Hill House at Pah Homestead via NZ Venues.
get in touch for a viewing
JANUARY BUNS
New flavours are on the way, and we’ll be announcing more very soon. We’ve got some fun (and delicious) ideas in the works, so make sure you’re keeping a close eye on our socials — you won’t want to miss what’s coming next 👀
LEMON CAKE GELATO
Our Lemon Cake Gelato has been the biggest surprise of the summer — and honestly, we can barely keep up. We’ve been selling buckets and buckets of it, and it’s easy to see why.
Made with our house-made lemon curd and chunks of our beautiful lemon cake, it somehow manages to tick every box: fresh, creamy, tangy, and just sweet enough. If you haven’t tried it yet… now’s the time 🍋🍦
SPOTLIGHT TIME
We’re proud to introduce Clevedon Buffalo products to Farm House Café - locally produced, exceptional in quality, and chosen for their incredible flavour.
A natural fit for our produce-led menu and our commitment to supporting local makers.
ART CLUB by Arts House Trust, Pah Homestead
Drop-in art making workshops for children on the first Sunday of every month. Give those clever little hands and creative minds some exercise with art making sessions based on our current exhibitions.
A perfect way to focus the imagination, our fun hands-on activities change every month and are led by our experienced tutors.
MEET THE TEAM
If you’ve ever been greeted with a big smile at Hill House, chances are you’ve met Ava — one of our absolute rays of sunshine and an all-round superstar.
Originally from Australia, Ava has called New Zealand home for the past 14 years, and we’re very glad she’s landed with us. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her keeping active — hiking, skiing, or smashing it on the netball court. Basically, if it involves movement and fresh air, she’s in.
What Ava loves most about working with the team? The people. Her words, not ours: her co-workers are her “ride or die” and second family — which honestly says everything about the culture we’re proud of here.
When it comes to food, Ava is a certified Waffle Inferno stan. Spicy food, scrambled eggs, chaos on a plate — the perfect combo for her bold tastebuds.
And here’s a fun fact that truly blew our minds: Ava can recite the entire periodic table song off by heart. Yes. The entire thing. We are equal parts impressed and slightly intimidated.
Beyond all that, Ava is bubbly, hardworking, calm under pressure, and an absolute joy to be around. She’s also the creative force behind the adorable little cartoons you’ll often spot on our entry boards. Her infectious smile, patience, and joyful aura make even the busiest days feel lighter — and having her on the till (whether it’s chaos or calm) is an absolute dream for both the team and our customers.
We’re very lucky to have you, Ava
MEET AVA - Cafe All Rounder & Friendly Till Person
HILL & FARM HOUSE CAFE NEWSLETTER | EDITION 003
JANUARY 2026
TALOFA LAVA — A Message from LEILANA (Lana) - Owner
In this edition, Leilana shares her journey from growing up in Samoa to helping create meaningful moments at Hill House Café and Farm House Café. Rooted in faith, family, service, and community, her story celebrates the people, connections, and milestones that bring us together—and the belief that everyone who walks through our doors is part of our aiga (family).