Crop to Cup Series - Meet Macie from Kinship

To kick off our Crop to Cup Series, we chatted with Macie from Kinship to dive into what community means to Macie, her journey to success, and of course, her favorite oat drink(s).
 

Hi Macie! Can you tell us who you are and what you do?

Hi! I’m Macie Stewart, the owner and operator of Kinship Coffee, with locations in both Balmoral and Takapuna. You’ll mostly find me behind the machine in Takapuna, where I love chatting to my regulars a little too much!

 

What’s the why behind Kinship? And how did Kinship come to be?

I’ve been in hospitality since high school, initially as a weekend job while I figured things out. I fell in love with the industry and embraced entrepreneurship, thanks to my parents’ 36 years in self-employment.

When the chance arose to set up a coffee bench inside Junk & Disorderly, I jumped at it — the experience of sipping a coffee as you wander around their treasure trove is an unbeatable feeling. A year later, I found a nostalgic spot in Takapuna and couldn’t resist inquiring about the lease. Now, nearly three years later, we’re happily established in the old Park Ave Dairy as Kinship Coffee!

 

Kinship has a wonderful community spirit – what does that mean to you?

It means everything. The name Kinship speaks to what I do and why, it reflects my belief in connection and relationships. Coffee brings people together, and I love witnessing that daily.

My regulars aren’t just customers; they’re family. I celebrate their victories, grieve their losses, I see my regulars become parents, and watch their kids grow. Being in a residential area of Takapuna makes our community connection even more special.

 

How does Kinship approach sustainability in its day to day?

At Kinship, our team is committed to sustainability. Growing up in a second-hand world, reusing and recycling is second nature to me. When I started Kinship, it was crucial to incorporate these values.

I’ve partnered with incredible suppliers like Ozone and Otis, who offer guidance on making impactful changes. Our coffee supplier, Ozone, have been a great support in our journey, constantly initiating and continuing conversations around sustainability. We’re learning from these partnerships every day and are inspired by their B Corp Certification’s — something we aspire to achieve one day.

Favourite oat drink?

I love this question! My go-to is a small double shot oat flat white—can't go wrong with that! A close second is a peppermint oat hot chocolate made with West Coast Chocolate Powder. If you haven't tried it, you're really missing out!

 

What are you most looking forward to in 2025?

In our ever-changing world, I’m excited for more coffees and connections. I look forward to learning every day, engaging in conversations with like-minded people and businesses, and watching our community grow!