S01 E40 - Lukbo Food Group - Sept 19 2026

The conversation with owners, Qiuchee and Qiujing Wong, explores the journey of Lukbo, a business specializing in the importation and wholesaling of Pacific Island and Asian food. It delves into the challenges of sourcing, processing, and distributing products from the Pacific region to New Zealand, as well as the family history and legacy of the business. The conversation covers topics such as the impact of automation on quality and scalability, end-to-end processing capability, target consumer market, advertising strategies, sourcing dynamics, and staff retention. Qiuchee and Qiujing also discuss the challenges and opportunities for Pacific Island exporters in the New Zealand and Australian markets. Takeaways - Family legacy and community service - Challenges of sourcing and processing - Investment in processing capabilities Automation enhances quality and scalability - Understanding the target consumer market is crucial for growth Chapters - 00:07 Introduction to Two Palagi - 03:59 Introduction to the Lukbo Business - 06:08 The Wong Family Legacy in Food Processing - 10:31 Challenges of Sourcing and Supply Chain - 12:47 Investment in Processing Capabilities - 14:46 Building Relationships with Farmers - 17:30 The Future of Lukbo - 21:19 Automation and Scalability - 22:09 Understanding the Target Consumer - 26:56 Supply Challanges - 32:12 Advice for Pacific Island Exporters - 33:46 Talanoa Summary - 37:26 Maritime Safety and Recent Tragedy - 38:31 US Investment Announcement - 40:13 Green Climate Fund - 41:32 Aviation Developments - 42:54 Pacific Media Summit - 44:19 Arson and Chocolate in Bougaineville - 45:50 Two Palagi Sign Out Resources Contact Two Palagi - [talanoa@twopalagi.com](mailto:talanoa@twopalagi.com) Lukbo Food Group - https://lukbo.co.nz