Behind New Zealand's Largest Mediterranean Specialty Shop
Sharing our traditions, our love of wholesome food, and our passion for life itself.
In the 1950s, Antonio Cuccurullo from Massa Lubrense, like many others from the south of Italy, journeyed to New Zealand and settled in Island Bay, Wellington. He later married Teresa Ruocco from the Isle of Capri, Italy.
Antonio found his niche in the seafood industry, running Wellington Fisheries in Cuba Street for 42 years until his retirement in 1990. His sons, Joe and Gino took over the business but closed the shop in 1994 and moved to a processing and distribution facility in the industrial area of Rongotai.
With the increase in awareness and demand for the Mediterranean diet, they began importing the food they had grown up with but took for granted, like pasta, olives, olive oil and tomato-based products.
The boys remember their school days in the 60s and 70s, lunch boxes filled with strange-smelling cheeses and weird types of pickles in oil – much to the disgust of their Anglo-Saxon friends!
In September 1999, they relocated to Newtown and established Mediterranean Food Warehouse.
Travelling overseas each year to source new products, Joe and Gino take pride in bringing back selections of the diverse and amazing foodstuffs, which are necessary for an authentic Mediterranean taste.
