The Fat Buddha

06/08/2026

See you apopo whanau!

18/07/2026

What a massive night!!
Thank you to everyone who showed up last night for the final night of the Trust Horizon Light up Whakatāne - Light Festival!!

Y’all kept us on our toes from beginning till the end and the Kai was flying out the window!

We want to thank the entire crew of Ātea for providing whakatane with a buddhaful space for the community to come together and a space for us vendors to do what we love the most. Feed the whanau!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

To anyone who has purchased Kai from the Buddha and enjoyed what you received, we invite you to leave us a review. This helps us grow as a small business, and also helps us improve what we do as The Fat Buddha!

Have a blessed weekend

Nga mihi.

15/07/2026

Hearty, wholesome and fresh Kai… every time.
fat Buddha

14/07/2026

If you thought last weekend was a vibe, you’ll definitely want to be in Whakatāne this Friday for the last night of the Trust Horizon Light up Whakatāne - Light Festival.
We will be stocked up, ready and waiting for you and your puku at Ātea along with some of the Bays heartiest Kai carts.
Get rugged up, pack the whanau and bring your hunger 🫶🏽

11/07/2026

Thank you Whakatāne for showing up this weekend!
We had a sold out weekend and want to give a massive mihi to all that came, either at Ātea or the Trust Horizon Light up Whakatāne - Light Festival!!
See you next week

10/07/2026

Matariki night market is on tonight at Ātea, Whakatāne.

✨ TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT: OUR MATARIKI MARKET IS HERE! ✨
Whakatāne, the wait is officially over! Grab your warmest puffer jacket, scarf and pōtae, round up the whānau, and come down to Ātea to celebrate the present, look forward to the future and take a moment to remember the past.
We are bringing the community together to celebrate the Māori New Year with incredible kai, stunning lights, and live music. You absolutely do not want to miss this!
⏰ TONIGHT'S SCHEDULE:
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM: The Market is officially OPEN! Come grab your dinner and explore the handmade taonga.
Our brand-new Matariki Light Installation officially opens! ✨
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: The incredible Whirimako Black takes the stage for an unforgettable live performance! 🎶
🔥 THE FEAST (Skip the dishes!)
Morfi Bringing the authentic Argentinian barbecue!
Boos Bussin Boil with BooShakalaka Serving up an epic seafood boil, Paua fettuccine
The Fat Buddha delicious slow cooked pulled meat!
Washington Street Filipino Fusion best wontons, pork bell tacos 🌮
Go4Yum Korean fried chicken! 🍗
🍩 SWEET TREATS & HOT DRINKS
Lil Orbits Donuts Whakatane little hot donuts
Black & White Coffee Real Fruit Ice Cream best hot chocolate at the market
🛍️ MĀORI ARTISANS, MAKERS & TAONGA
MISS MAIA
The Last Spoon - Chili Oil & Seasonal Preserves
Rongoanuku
Soul Time
Tīaho Jewellery
Facepaints by Irihapeti
Whaiaipo Candles
Reremoana with Hineputehue
Tame Iti
Let’s come together, connect, and celebrate our beautiful community under the stars.
📍 WHERE: 266 The Strand, Whakatāne
👇 Tag your whānau in the comments right now and tell them dinner and entertainment are sorted for tonight!

01/07/2026

Bula Vinaka,

After a week away in the sunny islands of Fiji, we are back in Aotearoa (and cold) and will start replying to emails, and booking enquirers over the coming days.
It’s taking a minute to get out of Island time but we will get there 🤣

See you soon whanau 🫶🏽

18/06/2026

Catch us at the Whakatāne night market this Friday from 4.30 to 7.30 at Ātea.
The perfect way to kick off the weekend 😎
This will be our last public outing until next month so if you’ve got that Fat craving you better get on it!

29/05/2026

Morena Whanau!

Wishing everyone a blessed and buddhaful long weekend!

The Buddha crew will be taking a well deserved break and we’ll be back next week.

Stay wild 🫶🏽