Samantha Motion: Back from the brink - Maketu Pies extraordinary survival 14 May, 2021 10:14 PM 3 minutes to read Maketu Pies is an iconic New Zealand brand. Photo / NZME Single-industry towns are a tricky economic proposition. They live and die at the whims of national, or often global, market forces well beyond the influence of the generations of locals who toil in the factory. The business employs most of the town residents but those salaries also support a host of other service and hospitality enterprises such as a dairy, a hairdresser and, inevitably, a pub. So when an ill wind blows through the market and the factory faces closure, the devastation goes beyond the directly impacted employees to their families and neighbours.
Maketu Pies back and busy with new jobs, initiatives and flavours 11 May, 2021 07:00 PM 4 minutes to read Maketu Pies factory manager, Krishla, and general manager Lynne Pryor. Photo / George Novak After appearing to be down for the count, iconic Bay of Plenty brand Maketu Pies is off the canvas and making a comeback. Eighteen months after the business was placed in receivership, its new owners are hiring more fulltime staff, exploring new initiatives, new pie flavours and the production facility is busier than ever . A long-time employee, who only wanted to be named as Krishla, has spent her entire working life at the shop on Little Waihi Rd in Maketū.