Thanks to the support and kindness he experienced over the years, Bangash was able to build a thriving life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Now he pays it forward – in free kebabs!
Every Sunday, Bangash feeds hundreds of people in need from two of his busy kebab shops in Glen Eden and Glenfield.
Bangash’s passion for giving back is fuelled in part by his is own experience of receiving help when he needed it most.
“My wife died unexpectedly in 2012. I was in Pakistan at that time and my work in human rights put me at risk of the Taliban. Suddenly here I am, a widower with five kids and I needed to build a different life,” said Bangash.
“After few days of my first arrival in Aotearoa, I encountered peace and felt that New Zealand is a safe place to live. So I decided to take a chance to start and build a better life and bring my kids when I could.”
Bangash’s early days were not easy. Shortly after arriving in New Zealand, he experienced homelessness and spent a week sleeping in a park in Manukau.
“I used to spend the whole day in the mall and library to keep myself warm and stay away from the rain,” Bangash said.
Recognizing Bangash needed help, a man who owned a kebab shop within the mall gave him food each day – and ultimately, a job working at the kebab shop himself.