Maketū Pies went into solvent liquidation in November. Photo / Laura Smith
KEY POINTS
A “forward-facing initiative” for the future of Maketū Pies has been praised as the new and old owners announce plans.
The celebrated brand was given a lifeline last week when a new purchaser was revealed, two weeks into a voluntary solvent liquidation process.
In a statement on Monday, Montana Group — New Zealand’s largest privately owned catering company — said the pie business would be jointly held in a new entity. The entity is licensing the trademarks back to Montana Group, with proceeds going to the new entity to support rangatahi (youth).
Maketū Foods Ltd was placed into voluntary solvent liquidation by its previous owner, Te Arawa Management Ltd, at the end of November.
However, in what the statement described as a “unique and heart-warming move”, the Maketū Pies brand and trademarks would be placed into a new joint venture entity and licensed back to the production business.
In turn, profits from the new licensing entity would support Te Arawa rangatahi with hospitality and food production training and qualifications.
The development was announced at the Te Arawa Lakes Trust AGM on Sunday.
Trust chairman Geoff Rolleston said the trust was “thrilled” to have found a buyer committed to preserving the mana of Maketū Pies.
”Seeing Maketū Pies move into the hands of a business that values community and heritage as much as we do is incredibly encouraging.
“Their plans to use the licensing profits for our rangatahi development demonstrate their commitment to giving back and supporting future generations.”
Both parties were excited about working together in the new entity.
”We are confident Maketū Pies will continue to be a source of pride for our community and nation.”
A Montana Group spokesperson said the company was “thrilled” to add Maketū Pies to its growing operations across the North Island.
”Working closely with local iwi is central to our vision for Maketū Pies. We feel genuinely privileged to become part of this close-knit community and have the opportunity to contribute positively.
”Our immediate focus is on ensuring a seamless handover, looking after the existing team and maintaining the high standards that Maketū Pies is known for.”
Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer said it was great news Montana Group was “stepping in” to save the brand.
“I’m very pleased that the workers will still have jobs. What a lovely Christmas present for them and their whānau."
Support for Te Arawa rangatahi training and qualifications was “very welcome”.
“It is an area that I have an interest in through the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs.
“Through our co-ordinator, Davina Edwards, we support rangatahi in the Te Puke-Maketū area to get into work and overcome the obstacles they might have such as transport, training and finding employers.”
Denyer said the latest proposal had some “synergies” with the task force, in finding and helping rangatahi who needed a leg up in that part of the Western Bay of Plenty.
Maketū Health and Social Services chief executive Susan (Huhana) Smith previously said she was cautiously optimistic following the purchase,
The organisation dropped off care packages to workers last week.
These included food and essential items ahead of Christmas.
On Monday, following the supporting rangatahi support news, she said it was fantastic Montana Group’s immediate concern was a “seamless handover”, which indicates less stress and greater communication, empathy and support for the existing team.
“Their new focus on using profits to advance our Te Arawa rangatahi is a forward-facing initiative that excites and warms our hearts.”
She said the service looked forward to a new relationship with the company and enjoyed working with the Maketū Pies staff.
Te Arawa Management Ltd bought the national pie supplier in 2019 during a receivership process but said it has operated at a loss since.
It was, at the time, the town’s largest employer and had operated for about 40 years. It had about 40 staff.
Te Arawa Management Ltd is a subsidiary of the Rotorua-based Te Arawa Lakes Trust.
Joint liquidators Thomas Rodewald and Paul Manning from BDO Tauranga traded the business while a buyer was sought.
Manning confirmed the sale to Local Democracy Reporting last week.
“There were a number of interested parties.”
The sale would be detailed in the next liquidators’ report in six months.
“The liquidators are now concentrating on establishing the liabilities and collecting outstanding debtor monies.”
Their first report said they expected all creditors would be paid in full within a year.
This article has been updated to clarify the brand will be jointly held in a new entity — the entity is licensing the trademarks back to Montana Group.
Laura Smith is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based at the Rotorua Daily Post. She previously reported general news for the Otago Daily Times and Southland Express, and has been a journalist since 2019.
— LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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