It's been one of Auckland's greatest culinary mysteries: why hasn't fine pacific cuisine been available in restaurants in the world's large Polynesian city.
For celebrated kiwi chef Robert Oliver it was a contradiction that needed fixing, so six months ago he co-founded Kai Pasifika at the top of Mt Eden Rd in Newton.
"There was a lot of questioning around why there wasn't a Pacific restaurant in Auckland," says Oliver.
"I think part of the reason is that while Pacific people know how good the food is, the perception of the food through tourism is not great.