Little & Local

It is hard to imagine two places more different than New Delhi and Snells Beach.

One has a population of around 34 million (one of the most densely populated cities on the planet), and is famous for its spice markets and religious monuments. Snells has a population of just over 3500, a nice beach and a supermarket.

But that’s exactly the contrast that attracted the new owners of Little & Local, Manoj (MJ) and Kaushalya (Kaushi) Surira.

“We liked the quiet, community feel of Snells and the fact that Auckland is just down the road,” MJ says.
Plus, it is warmer than Dunedin, where the couple were running a commercial cleaning business before their shift north.

The son of a chef, MJ has been cooking for most of his working life. After emigrating from India in 2012, he did a one-year Level 5 cookery course in Albany, and cheffed for three years at various establishments in Northland. … read more