Happy Days

Happiness is what Greg Hall makes for a living, Find out why Kohu Road is more than just one of your neighbouring streets – Photography: Sheryl Burson 

If eating ice cream makes you happy, imagine what making ice-cream for a living can do for you. Greg Hall certainly seems to embody happiness. I caught up with Greg to find out how moving to the west enabled him to have a larger kitchen space for gadgets, including an ice-cream maker, which accidentally became a way of life. As I drive Greg to the local beach he has suggested for the shoot he springs to life, telling me about the history of Portage Road and how it got its name. It’s also the location of The Tannery and the headquarters for his ice cream company. It seems local history and places are of importance to him. It was the inspiration for the name of his company Kohu Road.

Why ice cream?
Ice Cream is happiness, it can make you happy. Eating a delicious, luxury ice cream like Kohu Road is joy, pleasure, satisfaction. When we came back to NZ after 15 years away, our mission was to make a life in NZ again. We bought all manner of coffee makers, bread makers and in amongst all that was an ice cream maker. Nothing had changed in the NZ ice cream market since we left: same brands, same packaging, just mass-produced ice cream that’s full of chemicals. We could see a real opportunity to offer a world-class product to discerning NZ consumers.

How do you come up with inspiration for new flavours and products?
We are consumer-driven, and we aware that we are also consumers. So firstly we make flavours for ourselves that we think others will also love. We also receive suggestions constantly from our loyal customer base, (which includes celebrity chefs, super mums, restaurant owners and industry experts), and of course, we keep a close eye on global trends.

Do you have a favourite among your ice creams?
My favourite flavours are: 1.) Orange Choc Chip: An incredible new flavour that will be the next big thing, it’s a perfect paradox of simplicity and complexity, smooth yet crunchy, rich and creamy, yet fresh and citrusy. 2.) Chocolate Lovers: a heavenly, dairy-free ice cream that always makes me beam and smile. 3.) Dark Chocolate: the original, a timeless classic, the greatest ice cream ever made!

What’s the best thing about living out here?
The people in this neck of the woods are so great – everyone’s very supportive of one another and there’s a real sense of community. And the west is close to the CBD, the south, some truly stunning beaches and, of course, the natural playground that is the Waitakere Ranges.

What, if anything, surprised you about working out West?
Wherever I’ve lived, in NZ and around the world, it’s been west: Western Suburbs in Wellington, South West London, West Tokyo. When I landed back home in New Zealand, I bought a house on Kohu Road in Titirangi and realised this and was really surprised as it had never been a conscious, intentional plan. It is undeniable that certain people are drawn to distinct parts of every city and, though I had never thought about it before, it’s clear that I am a Westie…

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Believe in yourself: believe you can do it and you can. Throughout history, there have been unachievable feats that once accomplished by one person have been achieved by many. With belief comes the confidence and, from that, the commitment, then the success. Believe in yourself and don’t give up.

What would you like to achieve in the future?
Kohu Road is on a tremendous growth curve and I would like to see our global business continue to grow and expand into more export markets, bringing our philosophy, quality and taste experience to the world! That means continuing to develop into an ever more sophisticated, professional and savvy company.

Check out the Kohu Road website to help with your choice of favourite flavour and find out these amazing ice creams are made http://www.kohuroad.co.nz

“I had never thought about it before, it is clear that I am a Westie…”