Meals on wheels

Don Saunders is in negotiation with the Tip Top icecream factory about a cart deal. Photo / Dean Purcell

Don Saunders wants to turn New Zealand into a street vendors' paradise with his catering company that makes hot dog, icecream and chip carts.

Start-up business Cater Cart was founded after a friend of Saunders' who runs an ice cream business in Auckland couldn't find a decent cart in which to store his products.

After making a prototype, Saunders decided the cart could be used to store hot and cold food. He has yet to make a sale but is in negotiations with Tip Top.

Tip Top is experimenting with the carts to see what temperatures they can maintain and for how long.

Saunders said setting up a company in New Zealand was "easy" these days and now that he had paid for the design work, the website, the moulds and set up an assembly line, the company was "ready for production".

"I want to keep production in New Zealand because I hate seeing companies move offshore, so I will do everything I can to keep production in New Zealand. I do want to get into exporting but first things first, I want to service the domestic market and get the company established here first."

Saunders said the carts could be used anywhere from markets to parks, beaches, events such as concerts and gala days, "just anywhere there is a crowd".

He said he would like to change the culture of street vending and get more small businesses involved in selling food on our streets.

"It offers a city more vibrancy. It enhances the visual experience. It's great to see street vendors all over the place selling great products. It gives a life to the place.

"It will give small businesses an opportunity to get out there."

Saunders said no other Kiwi company was manufacturing similar carts that were aimed at street vendors and keeping products warm or cool.

Restrictions for street vendors include gaining council consent as a mobile food operator and meeting food hygiene standards for the carts.

Saunders claims all his carts have been approved by the Hamilton City Council.

The carts are available in a variety of colours and canopies, are 1.5m long and 900m wide.

They can store 300 litres of icecream.