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Food and Beverage
Whangarei’s subtropical climate, fertile soils and rainfall provide an ideal environment for horticulture - the growing of food, and the District has an abundance of businesses doing exactly this.
Produce as diverse as fig, beef, olives, avocadoes, rocket and Maori potato are being successfully grown and value added in the production of, for example olive oil, pesto and wine. Niche markets are being developed for these products.
Whangarei’s horticultural showcase and community hub is the Whangarei Growers’ Market - a must-do for locals and visitors alike. Whangarei-based tomato grower Murray Burns and Hokianga grower Rob Bradley started the market in 1997. The concept was to sell direct to the public. Every Saturday morning throngs of people head for the market based in the Water Street carpark. Most shoppers go between 6.30am and 7.30am although the market is open until 10.30am. Their specialty is fresh, quality produce grown locally including assorted varieties of flowers.
Whangarei has Northland’s oldest established vineyard. Founded in 1969 by the Vuletich family, Longview Estate pioneered winegrowing in Whangarei and has had extensive plantings totalling 7 hectares of grapes, including; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Chardonnay and Gerwurztraminer. Sailfish Vineyard is a boutique winery situated on the beautiful Tutukaka coast over looking Sailfish Cove. Sailfish produce chardonnay and a cabernet blend as well as olive oil.
Pautaua Olive Grove, situated at Whangarei Heads, had many different cultivars, including Ascolano, Koroneiki, Manzanilla, in different stages of development and produces high quality oils. The Grove has a traditional olive oil press imported from Italy.
Whangarei is also home to Brauhaus Frings, one of New Zealands oldest Micro-breweries and is located in Whangarei. The Brauhaus has become a haven for beer lovers as it combines well crafted beer with a relaxed, informal atmosphere making it an ideal place to sit and unwind.
While the sector is represented by a large number of small businesses, coordination in the region is good, with successful growers markets already established, a database of specialty growers and producers available for anyone who wants to source regional food and a sector development group to identify and monitor regional initiatives.
This sector is also of importance to the local tourism industry with research highlighting the potential of food and wine to bring visitors into the area in the quieter winter season. A food and wine trail, showcasing experiences throughout the region, to assist these visitors has been developed.
Related Websites
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Northland Food and Wine
The Northland Food & Wine Trail, the region's food heroes and it's famers markets. Be tempted also by Northland restaurants and wineries -
Pataua Olive Grove
Northland’s oldest establish winery -
Longview Estate
Northland’s oldest establish winery -
Sailfish Cove
Boutique winery overlooking the spectacular Tutukaka Coast -
Brauhaus Frings
One of New Zealand’s oldest micro-breweries
