Stefan Waijers and his family are the new owners of Four Square Houhora, the northernmost Four Square supermarket in New Zealand. Having taken over just before the bustling summer season, Waijers has wasted no time getting acquainted with the Houhora community. During this busy period, he arrived early to ensure a smooth transition for team members and customers.
Having quickly become familiar with the locals and his new team, Waijers shared his enthusiasm for the diversity of customers he will serve, ranging from local regulars to tourists from around the world visiting Houhora for a taste of Aotearoa's stunning vacation spots.
“It’s been so awesome getting to meet the locals, who’ve all been lovely, and also my new team, putting some faces to names,” said Waijers.
“The beauty of this role will be in the diversity of customers I serve, from the local regulars to the tourists from all around the world who make the summer pilgrimage to Houhora to visit some of Aotearoa’s most stunning vacation spots.”
As the crucial hub for multiple communities, Four Square Houhora serves customers from north of Kaitaia to the very tip of Cape Reinga. Waijers acknowledged the challenge of precise ordering processes, given the remote location, but said he was relieved of a new cross-dock in Whangarei and the support of the Foodstuffs North Island co-operative.
Waijers appreciates the strength of his team, many of whom have been with Four Square Houhora for years, understanding the unique demands of serving holidaymakers and local residents.
“Many of the Four Square Houhora team have worked there for years and know exactly what the popular items are and what the Houhora community are looking for.”
Transitioning from the finance industry to supermarket ownership, Waijers sees his move as a realisation of a dream that led him through the Foodstuffs North Island co-operative and New World New Lynn.
“Running a supermarket here is very different to running one in a city centre. You need to understand the NZ holiday patterns, as the people who shop for their holiday aren’t necessarily looking for the same items as locals visiting the store for their daily shopping. We must be more mindful about what we stock to ensure we cater to both types of customers.”
His family, equally excited about the move, is looking forward to being within walking distance of Pukenui School, where his two sons will attend. Despite only being in the community for a few days, Waijers has already received a warm welcome from the locals, which has started his new position on a positive note, making his daily interactions with customers all the more enjoyable and reinforcing his love for the supermarket industry, and connection, especially Four Square, offers. He is eager to exceed the community's expectations and is thrilled to embark on this new journey.
