Bestsellers: Couple from Uruguay win over Tairua with empanadas
Thursday, 9 July 2026
TatiFrutti Juice Bar, 227A State Highway 25, Tairua
Agustin Medina was training to be a pilot and had dabbled as a sparky in his home country of Uruguay, about ten years ago.
But the 33-year-old was hungry for adventure so he came to New Zealand on a working holiday visa in 2015 and moved to Hahei.
He trained as a chef to extend his visa before returning to Uruguay, where he met Tania Bachetta and the pair later moved to New Zealand.
They were living at Tekapo, down south, but Bachetta, 38, said it was “too cold” and returned to the Coromandel.
They set up a business in Whitianga baking pies but switched to empanadas after a suggestion from a friend.
One customer loved their pies so much they encouraged them to enter the New Zealand Pie Awards.
The couple said they forgot to submit their entry but another business owner entered them on their behalf.
Medina and Bachetta came third in the cafe boutique category in the 2023 NZ Pie awards with their steak and olive pie.
The couple moved to Tairua two years ago to be closer to food events.
Once they moved to Tairua, they wanted to have a “fixed spot” with regular hours and customers so choose a spot on the main drag with their trailer at the front and the eating area sandwiched between two buildings.
“We actually got lucky because we got so many options in Tairua and then we decided, let’s just do this, stop doing events and festivals.”
The couple ended up falling in love with the town.
“We didn't know that there was a beach. We were always like driving through, so tired, and we didn't realise how beautiful it was and now we don't want to leave from here.”
In addition to the food truck, they do catering at the Tairua Bowling Club every Friday and made connections with locals.
“They treat us like family. We love it.”
Tell us about the bestseller:
The empanada, a savoury pastry with fillings including beef, olives and boiled egg, spinach, or ham, mozzarella and caramelised onion, served with a cup of salsa. Some have asked if they have some kind of chilli or sauce. We don’t use anything spicy because that’s not how you eat them.
Why is it so appealing?
They’re easy to eat, really tasty and for Kiwis, they’re like a pie but with a different shape. Tourists from Latin countries stop in and say that their empanadas are better than an “authentic one in Argentina or Uruguay”.
Who buys it?
People under the age of 40 and travellers.
How much?
$20 for three empanadas.
What’s your favourite item?
Chori-burger. It’s made from a family chorizo sausage recipe and served with lettuce, tomato, aioli and fresh chimichurri sauce.