OUR STORIES
Nikamu Taitoko
Ngāti Maniapoto/Ngāti Porou
King Country Flooring Ltd
As a teenager, Nikamu was so painfully shy he could barely speak.
The father of five, from Te Kuiti, still finds speaking in public challenging, but he’s determined his carpet/vinyl laying business, King Country Flooring, will be successful.
Supported by his wife Maarea, he recently pitched his plan to expand his business to a He Kākano panel and he was granted $15,000.
Nikamu says he will use the funds to upgrade equipment, buy tools, and hire an assistant, as he has plenty of support in his local community and a backlog of orders to fill.
“I can get my name out there more and help me get through more metres (of carpet). It will make it a lot easier.”
![](https://dzpdbgwih7u1r.cloudfront.net/96a71382-0827-4100-8967-773346fa801b/9c365826-0b09-4c41-85a1-8f3b9e175ec7/9c365826-0b61-4bd3-b5ce-9fd86a4e92bb/w2400h1200-3430f04b52035b06ce20882a55078af4.png)