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The New Zealander making fresh juice for thirsty New Yorkers
It’s mid-afternoon on a hot autumn day, and I’m on my way to meet Tom Wright at his shop. A New Zealander living in the Big Apple, he cold presses fresh fruit for thirsty New Yorkers every morning.
Tom’s journey began humbly on the back of his bike, peddling his product during the pandemic and dropping orders door to door. Now, his juice has become a popular staple in the East Village.
Located at 75 East Fourth Street, Tom’s Juice sits amidst an eclectic neighbourhood rich in pop culture significance – it’s home to iconic bagel connoisseurs Russ & Daughters and the setting for Gossip Girl.
Initially making juice at home, Wright had the good fortune of using a friend’s spare commercial kitchen, securing seven months of free rent in the West Village – a lifeline for any young entrepreneur.
When the pandemic slowed business and empty storefronts became commonplace, he saw an opportunity in a former ice cream shop in the East Village.
The space came with an unexpected bonus: a walk-in freezer, which he converted into a fridge for the juice.
Inside, the shop’s walls are lined with merchandise, a nod to Wright’s past as the founder of streetwear brands Shark Week and Loop in New Zealand.
Popular options include watermelon, cantaloupe (rockmelon), pineapple, and pure celery. Photo: supplied
“I’ve learned so much from those worlds, and it’s all very much come back around to Tom’s juice,” he says.
By the time we reach the fridge, it’s later in the day, and his morning rush has passed. We’re greeted by a colourful rainbow of juices – each one promising a refreshing burst of flavour.
From a green blend of apple, cucumber, kale, and lemon to pure shots of ginger and lime, Wright’s range is as vibrant as it is delicious. Other popular options include watermelon, cantaloupe (rockmelon), pineapple, and pure celery.
His 8-ounce (226g) glass bottles are sleek and simple, catching the eye of fashion houses, restaurants, and producers in New York. He supplies juice to film sets, photo shoots, and musicians – rumour has it, André 3000 is a fan of Wright’s beetroot juice.
“As you know,” he reflects, “the characters in New York are something else. It’s like a mini movie every day.”
In the early days of his business, Wright pedalled an estimated 40km daily, hand-delivering juices. He still bikes every morning to deliver to customers, while others order via rideshare services.
Tom Wright has seen huge success in New York. Photo: Supplied
Over the past year, Tom’s Juice has expanded its distribution, introducing fresh ginger-lime shots to 350 delis and supermarkets across New York. Getting these shots on shelves was no small feat. Wright spent over a year figuring out how to get fresh product to market without it expiring in just a few days.
While we chat, he sorts glass bottles for his customers. He prefers glass because it preserves the juice’s flavour and because it’s part of his recycling initiative. He offers 50 cents for each bottle returned, a game-changer for customers and businesses that Wright supplies.
“If I don’t get the bottles back, I find that most people use them around the house.”
~RNZ
The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.
On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.
Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.
In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.
“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.
“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”
VNP / Phil Smith
Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.
That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.
“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.
Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.
Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.
The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.
Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.
Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.
“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”
Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.
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