Posted on 24 September 2026
80th AnniversaryOpen Polytechnic graduate Sabine Lang’s small business knowledge and logistics skills have enabled Lang’s Little Bakery to expand, opening its bakery and café in the Cambridge town centre in the Waikato in September.
Sabine used her New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4) to help set up her own gluten-free bakery in 2023, originally starting out as a food trailer at local markets.
By creating a gluten-free family business, not only did it provide delicious food options like lemon meringue eclairs for an estimated 1 in 70 kiwis who may have coeliac disease, but it also presented flexible work opportunities for Sabine’s two daughters, Eva (left) and Hannah (right).
“Me gaining the knowledge and confidence to start our own business has not only provided my daughters with employment that caters to their needs but also gives us priceless time spent together as a family,” Sabine explains.
According to Sabine, the market for delicious gluten-free baking products is “huge”.
While it was a challenging logistical exercise to move into the physical shop, when still operating the food trailer, it has also enabled Lang’s Little Bakery the opportunity to expand its menu.
“With a larger premises, we can now provide sweet and savoury treats, such as bagels, fries, cookies and waffles,” Sabine says.
“The extra space also allows our growing loyal customer base the opportunity to enjoy dine-in during regular hours, year-round, rather than waiting for the next market.”
The family business is going so well that Sabine has also hired three additional staff, to work alongside herself and her two daughters as the business grows.
“I could’ve never pulled off starting or running my own business without the knowledge I gained during the programme,” Sabine says.
“It has not only given me the knowledge, but also the confidence.”
Open Polytechnic turns 80 this year, celebrating its history of providing hundreds of thousands of Kiwis access to career-focused, flexible distance learning wherever they live.
Sabine is one of many graduates who have changed their lives and careers as a result of their studies through New Zealand’s specialist online learning provider.
“Turning 80 is an amazing feat,” Sabine exclaims.
“Here’s to the next 80 years, enabling many more people of Aotearoa to pursue their dreams.”