Kiri (Ngāi Tahu) and Skot Penfold (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kuri) own and operate a Christchurch dry cleaning business – Taylors Master Valet – that began in 1848.

Three and a half years ago Kiri and Skot purchased the business from friends. “We were nervous at first about owning the business. But we just got stuck in. We believed we could do it, so we sold our house and our rental property and we got together with our whānau to make this business work,” says Skot.

“Business has been going well but it’s been hard work. We have great staff and fantastic customers. Servicing hotels and more than 30 agents throughout Canterbury keeps us busy,” he says.

Taylors now employs 21 staff, including 15 full-time employees, and has provided young Māori with an opportunity to get started in the industry.

“I have great hopes for young Māori. I want to contribute to Māoridom and think the best way I can do it is by providing career pathway opportunities within our business and industry to train and employ Māori,” says Skot.

“Last year a friend, Shane Hoani, who runs an IT company recommended we contact Te Puni Kōkiri,” he says.

Since then Te Puni Kōkiri’s Māori Business Facilitation Service has been working with Skot to move his business forward.

“Our goal for the future is to remain at the top of the industry and to adapt to the environmental requirements so we can continue to offer a high- quality service well into the future,” says Skot.

“We aim to be recognised as market leaders, not in size but in the standards we achieve and in meeting the highest standards of textile care for our customers,” he says.