The Journey

In December 2010, after the closing of Scruples Bar in New Plymouth and the sale of Mad Toms the last resident karaoke in the heart of New Plymouth, Kuvarji along with her husband as they walked the foreshore decided to snap up the opportunity and open a mobile karaoke.

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They put a post up on facebook asking if anyone had a karaoke system for sale and they were blessed by Tira Wilson (Patricia) and Trent Langley with a system that they could pay off over time.

After some extensive training from Trent Langley as to how to install and maintain the software and how to use their first ever PA System, they managed to nab a resident karaoke spot at Broadway running Wednesday through to Saturday 10:30pm - 3am and wow did the business soar.

 

A collaboration between Kuvarji and her husband at the time Mikey Solomon, saw the name Nakioke come to life.

Mikey designed and hand drew the Nakioke logo and Kuvarji used her savvy business smarts to put it all together, out of it came a genuine Taranaki based business for all those who loved karaoke to enjoy.

 

With Broadway as Nakioke's foundation, it soon became an astounding journey, moving on to hosting at a variety of events, bars, clubs and venues around New Zealand.  

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Being the first karaoke hosts in Taranaki to open a facebook page and upload photos and videos regularly helping to support a thriving karaoke community and social media presence, they were very proud.

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After changes in their private lives, Kuvarji gained all rights to the Nakioke brand and continued on with business as usual and Mikey coming in to feature from time to time.

 

After Nakioke's star host Pukeroa Cooper passed away and Broadway changed ownership, Kuvarji declined to renew Nakioke services to the new owners and freelanced her gigs then adding on Raebell Karaoke's spot at Salty Dogg Cafe & Bar four nights per week when she retired. 

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As time went by and Kuvarji Entertainment evolved, Kuvarji thought it important to keep all her services under one umbrella & closed Nakioke, renaming it Kuvarji Karaoke which had the same successes.

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Kuvarji moved to Taupo to help a friend establish Taupo's Karaoke hotspot D'bar in 2015 and she loved every moment. Kuvarji is immensely proud to see it still going strong today. 

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After returning to Taranaki in 2017, Kuvarji had an opportunity to recreate what she had started in Nakioke but this time work smarter, go big and work on a recommendation or referral only policy, this has been the design for success. 

 

With Mikey hanging his shirt up for good, Kuvarji was flying solo until the Shae joined as the first member of the new team and Nakioke was up and running.

Shae and Kuvarji were both filling weekly, fortnightly and monthly slots around Taranaki until the time came that there was simply too many slots to fill for the two of them and then came the rest of the team.

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Sticking with her recommendation and referral policy Nakioke is currently regularly servicing venues in and around Taranaki, Whanganui and the Manawatu.

 

With hosts that she believes holds the values and attributes of a person that would do the name and brand proud, alongside a broad directory and a healthy work environment, Nakioke continues to grow.

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"My time is your time, Let's all have a good time." Mr Pukeroa Cooper. 

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