Sabry
“I’m originally from Egypt. My wife is Filipino, she got a job offer as a nurse. Then I decided to come to visit. So I visited, but I never went back.
I just like the environment, like the people. We came here, maybe, in 2005. I come from an Arabic background, so of course, the language was my first problem here. Even if I tried to understand, I can't catch one word. I had to study, and listen to news, music, whatever. I can talk to people, I don't feel shy.
In the beginning, I didn't have a business. I used to work for another shop. I used to study English because my English wasn't good enough. I used to work at night, study full time in the morning. Then after three years, I was able to speak and understand English, so I started my business in Ferry Road. My first shop opened in 2012 at Ferry Road under Sabry’s Souvlaki. Then my second shop was, I think, Redwood, then Wairakei Road, Hornby, Papanui then the city centre.
Around 2019, the first one was in Hereford Street. I love the city. I did get the chance to open in different areas, but no, I don't know. I just like the city. This location, High Street, it's very nice. I like the people. We got support from the office workers. I like my neighbours. I like the city too much!
Even the homeless are friendly to me. I know most of them, I support them with whatever they need. I just help them. You can't just fight or ignore them, you have to be part of that community as well.
We also have a bubble tea shop, Boba Time. But my wife, she handles it. I don't know what I think about bubble tea, because it's a different culture, but I know about kebab and souvlaki!
I have four boys, three born here. One of them is studying as a doctor. You have to spend time with family as well. My oldest kids live outside the city, so as soon as they come home, we make dinner, talk about family, you know, to be connected, we're close family, and we keep our culture as well.
What we miss, unfortunately, is the cathedral. This is the first thing I saw when I arrived. I went inside many times. It was amazing. Hopefully it will come back one day.”
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
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52.8% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.7% Critical thinking
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29.6% Resilience and adaptability
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2.9% Other - I will share below!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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