“I reached out to Ewan and he really sold me on the ownership journey, so I headed back to New World Matamata to get stuck into learning the ropes and completing my studies extramurally.”
Mike says what attracted him to Four Square is the integral role a store plays in its local community and how each one is as unique as the area and people it serves.
“There’s no cookie-cutter approach here. Four Square Tokomaru Bay is a full-service supermarket that offers a bit of everything done well, including a butchery, pharmacy distribution, postal services, an ATM and even a gas station.
“We provide so many different types of services to so many different kinds of people, and now — particularly in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle — these services are more vital than ever,” he says.
Mike and his partner Chelsea Pascoe — who many will know from her role behind the counter at Muir’s Bookshop — have lived in Gisborne for 10 years and are both excited about their move up the East Coast.
Mike has spent the past two years working alongside Sam Wanklyn and the team at Four Square Wainui Road which underwent a big renovation programme during his time there.
“It’s been a massive few years at the store as we worked through the challenges of extensive renovations, but still nothing could have prepared any of us for the shock of Cyclone Gabrielle. It’s where the power of the co-op really swung into action supporting hard-hit communities and getting us back up and trading as soon as possible.
“I joined the store’s effort to work with suppliers to get stock into the city and ensure the community was kept fed.
“Gisborne was isolated and without communications for most of the week after Gabrielle hit, but thankfully, we were only closed for a day and were back to semi-normal operations within a week.”
Mike would also like to acknowledge the teams and people he has worked alongside at Pak’nSave Gisborne and Four Square Wainui Road over the last decade.
“I couldn’t be more grateful to the people and teams I’ve been a part of here in Gisborne. They’ve all supported us and prepared me for the next stage of my career.
“Without their support, none of this would’ve been possible.”
Being part of the Tokomaru Bay community is a top priority for Mike, who intends to train to become a volunteer firefighter. Mike and Chelsea are also planning to support local organisations in the surrounding area.
“Chelsea and I have lived in the Tairāwhiti region for about a decade now. This region has given us so much and we’re really looking forward to giving back and continuing to serve such an awesome community.”
Outside of work Mike, who grew up in Matamata, is a keen sailor.
“I competed for New Zealand growing up — now it’s just for pleasure.”
And living in Tokomaru Bay, he now wakes up every day with a view of the ocean.
“There are so many things to love about getting to live and work in Tokomaru Bay — the tight-knit community, getting to do what I love for work, and waking up to the ocean every day.”
