Five on the Fly - Twyla
Five on the Fly — where business meets community
Kia ora and welcome to Five on the Fly, where we sit down with local business people to hear their stories, challenges and hopes for Te Hiku.
In five quick questions, we get to know the person behind the business, what drives them and what they hope for the future of our region.
Interviewee - Twyla from Backroad Baker NZ
1. Tell us about yourself
Kia ora, I’m Twyla, the baker, decorator and face behind Backroad Baker NZ. When I’m not in the kitchen covered in flour and buttercream, I’m usually out enjoying our beautiful whenua – you’ll usually find us in or near the moana. My favourite ice-cream flavour is usually hokey pokey — classic, simple and always a treat. But I actually really like the Maple one at Cable Bay too.
2. Tell us about your business
Backroad Baker NZ is my small hobby cake business based here in the Far North. I create custom cakes, cupcakes and sweet treats for birthdays, whānau celebrations, and community events. I love working with people to bring their ideas to life and adding a bit of sweetness to special moments across Te Hiku.
3. What’s been your biggest challenge in business so far?
One of my biggest challenges has been balancing a busy home life with the time and energy that creative baking requires. Juggling orders around my two young kids – usually by doing late-night baking sessions has definitely tested my resilience, but it’s taught me to be more organised, set boundaries, and trust my own pace as a hobby baker.
4. What’s been a highlight or proudest moment?
Every time someone trusts me with their special occasion, or I see a child light up at their birthday cake, it reminds me why I started. Those moments make all the hard mahi worth it. It’s always a highlight when customers come back too.
5. What are your hopes for Te Hiku as a region?
I’d love to see Te Hiku continue to grow in ways that support local creativity, small business owners, and whānau. There’s so much talent and potential here. I hope to see more opportunities for entrepreneurs, more collaboration between local businesses, and a thriving, resilient community where we lift each other up and keep our local economy strong.
That’s it for this edition of Five on the Fly. A big thank you to Twyla of Backroad Baker NZ for sharing her journey with us, and to you for reading.
Every business story adds to the strength and resilience of Te Hiku. If you’d like to hear more, keep an eye out for our next Five on the Fly conversation.
