Filipino eatery takes a plunge and expands to Auckland CBD

• April 29, 2026

The second site of Filipino eatery, Hapunan, in the CBD, with customers eating outside, indicating early demand. Photo: Pamela Dagun

A West Auckland food business, Hapunan, has expanded to Auckland CBD despite challenging economic conditions.

Hapunan, a Filipino eatery based in Huapai, opened its second site at 2A Anzac Avenue in the CBD to test the central city market despite rising costs and low customer spending.

Owners Aldrin Tabora and Laura Caddick said they face financial challenges as high costs have increased their expenses and operating costs while keeping prices affordable for their customers.

Despite these challenges, they are continuing their soft launch this month and see the expansion as an opportunity.

"The economy is not great, but I feel like you have to do it when you kind of feel like the time is right, and for us, we saw this spot and everything just moved so easily…in just two weeks, we got everything done," Caddick says.

Caddick says the business started as a food truck in 2017, traveling to different parts of Auckland before opening their first location in Huapai, which helped them build a loyal customer base willing to travel to the CBD.

Customers line up at Hapunan's food truck, which helped build its following and support before expanding to the CBD. Photo: Supplied

Caddick also says the expansion allows them to reach different customers and earn more at night.

"Huapai [first business location] is very family-oriented, so past eight o'clock, no one really orders, whereas in the CBD, there could be potential room for late nights where people want to drink or have something to eat."

Infometrics shows that businesses in the CBD are growing by 0.3 percent, equivalent to about 45 new business openings, despite Stats NZ research this year showing a 1.3 percent drop in consumer spending.

Economist Shamubeel Eaqub says the current conditions are difficult for many small businesses.

"It's really tough because people are spending less, and costs for businesses are up."

Eaqub says expanding during economic uncertainty is both a risk and an opportunity.

"It is a double-edged [situation], it is easier and often cheaper to find space, so the cost may be lower, but customer wallets are thinner, and competition is stronger."

Eaqub also says businesses must perform strongly to survive in a competitive environment.

"If you want to succeed in a recession, you have to be really, really good because much of your sales are because you are taking market share or cutting someone else's lunch."

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