Celebrating Success: Liam (Maia) Turumakina Millard

Bringing Something New to the Table

We’re proud to shine a light on Liam (Maia) Turumakina Millard, whose hard work and creativity have made waves in the hospitality world.

Back in 2019, Liam opened Izakai Bar and Eatery at Bayfair’s Dine Precinct. His idea was simple but powerful, to create a space that fused the fun, social style of Japanese Izakaya dining with flavours and stories from home. The result is a restaurant that feels familiar yet fresh, weaving Māori culture into every dish.

The road hasn’t been easy. Like many in hospitality, Izakai had to navigate the huge challenges of the Covid years. Thanks to Liam’s persistence (and plenty of long nights), the doors stayed open and the business continued to grow.

Fast forward to today, Izakai has been named one of Denizen Magazine’s “Best of 2025” – a list that celebrates the top dining spots across the motu. The restaurant also holds an impressive 4.7/5 on TripAdvisor.

Earlier this year, Liam shared how humbling it was to meet a group who had travelled all the way from Northland just to eat at Izakai. It’s moments like that which remind him why he started this journey. 

If you’ve dined at Izakai on a busy night, you might have spotted a familiar face helping out. Liam’s papa, Les Millard, is often seen clearing glasses, while his sister Erana and brother-in-law Chris Elvin have even jumped in to wash dishes when things get hectic. For Liam, it’s never just been about the food – it’s about whānau pulling together.

Liam’s story is about more than opening a restaurant. It’s about innovation, resilience and carrying culture proudly into new spaces. We celebrate Liam for showing that with determination, whānau and a good idea, you can create something that inspires others and makes our community proud.