The Taiapa whānau are all forging incredible careers at PAK’nSAVE Albany. From left: Micah, Jono, Jude, James and Evan.

The Taiapa whānau at PAK’nSAVE Albany aren’t just a family - they’re a team, with all five members building their careers at the same store.

Each family member is forging their own path, with strong support from their managers and store owner-operator Jason Witehira, who has invested in their growth through apprenticeships and on-the-job training.

Jono Taiapa, the Butchery and Seafood Manager, works side-by-side with his brother James, who is third in charge in the butchery department. Their sister Jude is training as an apprentice in the bakery, while Jono’s nephew Evan is on his way to becoming a qualified butcher. Then there’s Micah, the youngest, who works part-time as a Trolley Recovery Assistant while still in school.

The Taiapa family is a great example of the dedication and growth PAK’nSAVE values, and they’re making a real difference together at PAK’nSAVE Albany.

“It’s amazing to have such an awesome family like the Taiapas working at PAK’nSAVE Albany,” says Jason.  “Not only are they great people, they’re great at what they do and they’re all making big strides in their chosen fields.

“At PAK’nSAVE, we’re all about growing talent from within, and the Taiapas are a shining example of how we’ve helped people reach their potential and progress their careers.”,

Keeping it in the family

Jono started working at PAK’nSAVE Albany in 2011, while he was still at school. As a 16-year-old, unsure of what he wanted to do with his life, he got a job in the grocery department as a shelf stacker, working the late shift from 10pm to 7am.

“I loved it because I started earning all this money and then my managers were always talking to us about courses they had going for kids like me to get ahead, and telling us how we can learn management or do a trade,” he says.

Jono soon set his sights elsewhere instore, and began an apprenticeship in the butchery department, and progressed up the ranks to his current role as manager. 

“I never thought I would be a butcher, and now I wouldn’t ever want to be anything else,” he says.

“And the best thing is that I love my job so much that other members of my family have followed me here and have been given the same opportunities as me.

“They say the family that works together stays together and it must be true because I love going to work every day and seeing my family.

“My work crew at PAK’nSAVE Albany have always felt like family to me, and now my actual family is there working alongside me which is pretty cool.”

His brother James completed his apprenticeship in the butchery department, and nephew Evan has followed in their footsteps and is doing his apprenticeship. 

“I always try to lead by example in my family and nothing has made me prouder than watching my brother and nephew join me in butchery,” says Jono. 

The success of their sister Jude, a stay-at-home mother of four, has also been a big source of pride among the family. Jude got her first ever job at PAK’nSAVE Albany and has been making big strides in her position since joining the team. 

“She’s doing so well with bakery and she’s already wanting to move onwards and upwards and looking at management training,” says Jono.

At work, the Taiapas will often sit down together on their meal breaks for morning tea and lunch in the staff room. 

“It just feels so normal and natural to us, and we are always having a laugh and supporting each other in our work and our training,” says Jono.

“And Micah, he’s out pushing trolleys now, but already he can look to his uncles, and his mum and brother and see what’s available to him. It gives him options and choices.”

Jono says he will always be grateful to PAK’nSAVE Albany, its work culture and the opportunities he and his family have been given.

“It’s the type of place where if you work hard, you will get noticed. I never thought in my wildest dreams that a 16-year-old kid who was stacking shelves could make it this far, but they believed in me, and I guess you could say that I proved them right! 

“If you want opportunities and to get ahead, then a job at PAK’nSAVE can make it happen for you.”

Interested in a career in the supermarket industry? Join PAK’nSAVE today. Visit www.paknsave.co.nz/about-us/jobs