“Come Grab a Kiwi Dose!”

FEATURE | ISSUE THREE | WHENUA

Written by Sanskruti Banerjee (she/her) | @san._.banerjee | Contributing Writer

Here’s a peek Inside Mount Eden’s New Dessert and Drink Spot!

Nestled in the heart of Mount Eden village, Kiwi Dose is a family business that is quickly becoming a new go-to spot for students and locals alike. Whether you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up between lectures, a late-night study location, a casual date spot, or simply somewhere to grab a dessert with friends, Kiwi Dose offers a space that feels both vibrant and welcoming.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Aqueel Hafeez, who is leading Kiwi Dose’s operations. He balances life as an engineer at WSP by day and entrepreneurship by night. An ex-international student, Aqueel always envisioned stepping into the world of entrepreneurship. For him, business is about chasing freedom, creativity, and building something meaningful. 

At Kiwi Dose, the menu reflects that same energy. It aims to strike a balance between making healthy and nutritious food, delicious as well! Customers can customise their own açaí soft serve bowls, indulge in sweet treats, or warm up with comforting desserts such as crepes or mini dutch pancakes. In need of something to drink? Kiwi Dose has an extensive drink selection with; berry-packed smoothies, fresh juices, and electrolyte blends for a post-workout pick-me-up. But they also have an impressive caffeine lineup, with a wide range of coffees, matcha, and more. 

The Business Journey

Outside of work, Aqueel enjoys playing football and mountain biking, hobbies that reflect his energetic approach to life and business. He says he is the type of person who believes volume increases your chances of success. Aqueel’s  philosophy is simple: “The more you do, the more likely you are to succeed.” 

As someone who constantly reflects and ideates, Aqueel had long been looking for the right opportunity to start a business in New Zealand. Entrepreneurship was something that had been in his vision for a while. Opening Kiwi Dose in Mount Eden felt like the perfect fit. One thing he quickly noticed about New Zealand culture is that Kiwis tend to work hard, play hard. There are few places in Auckland open late-night that have a community centred approach to the way they run. Kiwi Dose aims to cultivate an environment that is safe and welcoming for all. By offering clean, energising food and drinks alongside indulgent treats, the space is designed to cater to people who want the best of both worlds. 

More Than Just a Dessert Spot

Beyond the food and drinks, Kiwi Dose is also looking to become a community hub. They plan on regularly hosting monthly events in collaboration with grassroots organisations, ethnic communities, and people involved in arts and culture. These events aim to create an inclusive environment where people can connect, share ideas, and simply enjoy themselves.

Of course, building a business while working full-time is not without its challenges. Aqueel says one of the biggest lessons he has learned through the process is patience. “There’s so much that could go wrong,” he explains. “What matters most is how you react to those situations.”

Balancing a demanding engineering career with the responsibilities of running the operational side of a business, while still maintaining physical and mental wellbeing, requires discipline and resilience. Yet for Aqueel, the challenge is part of what makes the journey worthwhile. 

Kiwi Dose is a place where you can recover after a long day of lectures, push through a late-night study grind, catch up with friends, or simply enjoy a moment of indulgence in the middle of a busy week. Kiwi Dose hopes to give New Zealand exactly what its name suggests: a dose of life, so go check it out!