New Puku Pies & Kai shop in central Wellington already pulling the crowds
Thursday, 5 March 2026
A new Puku Pies & Kai eatery has opened on Grey St in central Wellington - and is already inundated with hungry customers.
The popular chain is owned by Wellington hospitality stalwart Jamie Williams - the founder of Kāpura, now known as Star Hospitality Group.
The Grey St store is the fourth Puku Pies & Kai shop to open, following the first in Lyall Bay last year. There are also stores in Petone and Johnsonville.
Staff told The Post they served more than 800 customers on Wednesday when the eatery first opened.
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When The Post visited on Thursday at midday, there was already a line of people outside waiting to try the food.
“It’s a good problem to have,” a staff member joked.
The Post has already reported on the capital’s love affair with pies; in addition to Puku Pies, Jo’s Pies and Salut Pies are two incredibly successful pie shops in the capital.
This reporter tried a pie and was pleased to report the hype was real.
Hot, buttery, flaky, meaty, and with a decent amount of tasty cheese inside - basically everything you’d want in a pie.
Williams also owns Hotel Catalina in Lyall Bay, which opened on Monday to a positive reception.
The restaurant is located where Spruce Goose used to be, opposite the Lyall Bay beachfront in the former Wellington Airport Aero Club building.
Williams earlier said it appeared the hospitality scene was turning a corner after a difficult few years for the industry.
“Everyone's got to play their part in the ecosystem that is Wellington business. You start spending money, and then people generally come out and support.”