RESTAURANT
50-50 blends the best local produce, meat and seafood with culinary techniques and flavours from all over the world to create modern New Zealand dishes that thoughtful and full of flavour.
At its heart 50-50 reflects Chef Helen's vision of what makes New Zealand a special place to be.
The menu changes often and is shaped by seasons. The focus is simple, fresh ingredients, confident cooking, warm and a warm, approachable dining experience.
Located on the Kapiti Coast, 50-50 sits comfortably in the shadow of the Kapiti Island on Paraparaumu Beach’s main street.
Open for dinner from 5pm until late, Wednesday to Saturday. Make a reservation, then relax, and let Helen and the team take care of the rest.
HELEN TURNBULL
CHEF
No, it's not the coffee.* That's just her.
50-50 owner and chef Helen Turnbull talks, moves and chops faster than your average chef.
Then again, average doesn’t apply to her culinary past, present or future** in any way.
For Helen, today is never just another service. It's another chance to think about food, where it comes from and how it can take you back in time or carry you somewhere entirely new.
After a decade away, she returned home to Wellington to share her international experience.
She quickly built a following for her ever-evolving cuisine, was awarded Best Emerging Chef at the Capital Awards in 2014 and hosted sell-out events during Wellington On A Plate.
Not too long before that, she was shedding blood, sweat, and tears as an apprentice at Te Papa’s icon restaurant.
After that, she toiled in Tokyo with Japanese chefs, beat the best British talent, met the demanding standards of
Gordon Ramsay, was coaxed back home by Sir Michael Hill ,and opened Josh Emett’s Rata Restaurant in Queenstown.
50-50 celebrates it's ninth birthday in May 2026. Since opening Helen has put her heart and soul into every plate and, just as importantly, her voice into the songs she sings while cooking them.
Her connection to food remains the same as ever. A respect for the raw product and an understanding of the possibilities that arise from there.
This means that at 50-50, meeting Helen in her open kitchen is only part of the journey.
It’s when you have completed her nine-course menu that you’ll have truly arrived.
* Coffee is available at 50-50
** While the future is yet to arrive, fingers crossed we're right
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Kāpiti - A Portrait through Food
A photographic journey from Paekakariki to Otaki in Kāpiti, New Zealand, where we visit local foodies who tell their story and share a recipe. The book includes a selection of what is available on our Coast told through photography by Joanna Piatek and recipes shared by the locals.
Finders Eaters is the passion project of local Mike King. Mike supplies 50-50 with native and exotic ingredients that are all foraged locally. The beautifully shot day in the life of Mike was created by filmmaker Reece Baker and also features my musings on the importance of food and community.