The story of smoko is embedded deep within kiwi history. The term is a New Zealand/Australian term meaning ‘to take a quick cigarette break’, although nowadays smoko is less about the tobacco, and more about the coffee, tea, and snacks.
To partake in smoko meants to take a casual little break from work, usually around 10 or 11 in the morning. During smoko, workers can snack, enjoy the company of friends and coworkers, or just have a laugh and reflect on life. Even the occasional business deals were known to be done over a smoko break!
We Kiwis take this (in most cases) fifteen minutes of fluffing about very seriously. In 2014, a smoko room feud between the court and Progressive Meats even went so far as to make national news.
With this beloved tradition in mind (and, not to mention, the legitimately legal entitlements of a tea break for employees in New Zealand), it stands to reason that there should be a snug little space to house these smokos: a cozy room with tables, chairs (and perhaps a mini fridge) provided at all times. One in which employees may retreat, eat, and find respite. Fifteen minute breaks have been known to increase worker productivity. In conclusion: ensuring those smoko breaks are well taken can only improve the outcome of a work day for both employer and employee.
If your company wishes to honour the tradition of smoko, Portable Building Hire have a room or two that will do just the job on your job, wherever that may be. Take a look at our Portable Lunch Room: the ideal portable room layout for a smoko room. This portable unit is decked out with enough space for an entire team, as well as compact kitchen facilities so that nobody has to sacrifice their cup of tea!