Saturday 10 May 2025 | Written by Teitimoana Tairi | Published in Features, Go Local
Co-owners of Turangi Eatery, Shivnesh Chandra and Helena Williams with their three-year-old son. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25050956
Helena Williams and her partner, Shivnesh Chandra, a chef, officially opened their Turangi Eatery, located on Main Road, Turangi, Ngatangiia, yesterday morning with a special service attended by close friends and family.
Williams faced challenges from starting her business until finally opening her restaurant. Along her journey, she added that balancing motherhood while also pursuing professional endeavours as a young local presented significant challenges.
In 2020, Williams started on a different career path, working in the Land Court Division at the Ministry of Justice.
A year later, she and her partner, with whom she shares a three-year-old son, planted the roots of Turangi Eatery with their business, Spices of Rarotonga.
The food catering business, launched during the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic, struggled to generate income.
With the return of tourists, their business moved to the Muri Night Market, where it thrived and grew, culminating in yesterday’s launch of Turangi Eatery.
After five years of working full-time, carrying the role of a mother and running a business, Williams finally achieved her lifelong dream of owning their own takeaway restaurant where their team and they can operate comfortably.
According to Williams, the lack of takeaway restaurants in Turangi inspired her to open one in that area.
As a young local entrepreneur, she shared an encouraging message to others who are interested in owning and running a business.
“I think a lot of people don’t like hearing others telling them it’s not going to be easy and all the negative. But rather than being negative, it’s reality. It’s very not easy,” Williams said.
“It’s good to surround yourself with a very good team, a team and responsible family members that help you.”
Turangi Eatery is open five days a week. The takeaway is open from Tuesday to Friday, 7am to 3pm, Friday afternoons, 4pm to 8pm and Saturday, 2pm to 8pm.