Whakatāne couple Monique and Marley Taipeti are proving that passion, perseverance, and honesty can fuel both business and community impact.

The couple recently opened their automotive workshop, Platinum Tyres on McAlister Street, offering a full range of services including tyres, wheel alignments, brakes, engine and transmission work, radiator replacements, and more.

The Taipetis’ journey to business ownership, however, is far from conventional.

Mrs Taipeti spent 11 years battling meth addiction before turning her life around nine years ago.

Her personal experience inspired her to design and run an addiction recovery programme at Waiariki Whānau Mentoring for three years, creating a space where people could seek help without leaving their families behind.

“We’ve both come through our recovery journey together and been able to grow together,” Mrs Taipeti said.

“We want the community to see what recovery looks like.”

The couple opened their doors in November after purchasing an existing, well-respected business and completing renovations.

Despite the initial challenges of finding qualified mechanics and purchasing equipment, they have reopened after the Christmas break ready to hit the ground running.

The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

Customers have praised the workshop for its honesty, transparency, and reliable service – values the Taipetis say are central to their business.

“One customer came in for a brake check, and we told her she didn’t need a replacement right away. She really appreciated that honesty,” Mrs Taipeti said.

“We want people to trust us, we know what it’s like to get a big mechanics bill, we want to be transparent and honest and won’t charge where it isn’t necessary.”

Beyond running their workshop, the Taipetis are committed to giving back. They hope to use their connections through Waiariki Whānau Mentoring to help young people in the community access apprenticeships and work experience.

“Even if it’s just for a couple of months, it helps them get into the workforce, build references and show reliability,” Mrs Taipeti said.

Their dedication to the community extends well beyond their business.

Mrs Taipeti has worked full time in the ambulance service for the past eight years, and together the couple have organised local events such as Awatapu Christmas in the Park, Easter hunts, and community barbecues.

“We’ve been down ‘struggle street’, and now we’re in a position to give back and help people,” Mrs Taipeti said.

While she continues her ambulance work and manages the business’s books, Mr Taipeti is on the workshop floor overseeing their three qualified mechanics at work.

“I’ve always had a passion for cars, whether it was detailing or changing tyres, and making them look neat,” he said.

Looking ahead, they hope to continue growing their business while maintaining their values of trust, honesty, and respect.