Relish

Fresh baking has a way of drawing people in, and at Relish Rangitikei, the cabinet rarely stays full for long. Slices disappear, award-winning pies vanish by lunchtime, and regulars know that if there is something you’ve got your eye on, hesitation is not your friend. That kind of daily sell-out culture says plenty about a place, especially in a small-town cafe where reputation travels quickly.

Run by sisters and born-and-bred locals Libby McNaught-Kennedy and Bridget McNaught, Relish is deeply woven into the fabric of the community. Sitting proudly on Hunterville’s main thoroughfare, the cafe is easily accessible, from those down the street to road trippers making a pitstop. Inside, there is an easy charm to the space, balancing practical country hospitality with thoughtful touches that invite people to linger. Quick service and fair prices are part of the appeal, but so too is the sense that everything has been made with care.

The menu is centred on homemade favourites, with fresh baking produced daily and cafe staples done exceptionally well. The beef cheek pies have developed something of a loyal following, and the carrot cake and chicken, brie, and pesto toasties also regularly tempt people back. The sisters’ baking credentials extend beyond local praise too - their slow-cooked pork and jalapeño pie won bronze at the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards, and is well worth the journey.

Supporting the cafe means backing a genuinely local business. There’s another layer of local connection in the fact the building is leased from the Hunterville & District Settlers Museum, which helps offset museum costs. This arrangement means guests can add on a full museum visit as part of their stop - just make a gold coin donation, grab the key from the counter, and head next door to learn about the local rich history.

At Relish, there is no need to reinvent the wheel when you are already doing the classics this well. It’s a welcome stop for customers from far and wide, whether it’s their first visit to Hunterville or they’ve lived here their whole life.