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Who We Are
In the vibrant landscapes of Hawke’s Bay, a unique vision took root: to create a hub that not only fosters food innovation but nurtures it into commercial success.
Foodeast is that vision realised.
Our Mission
As far as missions go, ours is simple yet ambitious:
As a unique centre dedicated to the acceleration of food innovation, Foodeast Haumako exists to Feed the Future of Aotearoa.
Our Vision
To build Foodeast Haumako into a highly influential and self-sustaining innovation centre, recognised by 2030 as the leading catalyser of commercially successful food innovation in New Zealand.
Our Values
Whakaaweawe
Positive impact on people and planet
Our Team
Our ‘on the ground’ team is small but mighty and committed to creating a flourishing and collaborative community.
Michael Basset Foss
Chief Executive
Michael is our CE and works in tandem with our Board to set our strategic direction.
Rachel Campbell
Engagement Manager
Rachel takes the lead on all our industry engagement and has an unparalleled contacts list in the food space.
Mel Lewis
Services Manager
Mel is the smiling face you see when you walk in the door. She looks after the facility and runs all our external events.
Our Supporters
Foodeast Haumako is owned through a partnership between Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company, Hastings District Council and Progressive Meats. We have been funded by Kānoa, the Government’s Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, through a Provincial Growth Fund grant of $12 million and an investment of $6m from the three regional partners.
Our Story
Our story begins with a conversation, as so many good stories do. But this conversation happened to be between a group of far-sighted individuals who recognised the untapped potential in Hawke’s Bay’s primary sector. And they wanted to do something about it.
From this initial conversation came a kernel of an idea. A ‘Food Innovation Hub’ with a focus on collaboration, innovation, research and development. A purpose-built venue designed to harness and leverage Hawke’s Bay’s food, beverage and agritech sector potential.
In 2018 that vision began to crystallise. A $151,000 grant from central government’s Provincial Growth Fund helped fund a feasibility study and business case for the project. Seeing value in the concept, the Hastings District Council (HDC), Napier City Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and 13 businesses and organisations in the food industry contributed an additional $35,000 towards the research.
Sapere Research Group was engaged to complete the research which concluded that an investment of $18m would be needed to bring the project to fruition.
In 2019, the Government announced it would invest $12m from the Provincial Growth Fund into the initiative. Later that year, this was bolstered by the HDC agreeing to allocate funds for the project, subject to additional funding coming from other regional sources.
In August 2020, the newly named ‘Foodeast’ reached another milestone with the conditional sale and purchase agreement of land at the Tomoana Food Hub on the corner of Hanui and Elwood Roads, Hastings.
Having been involved with the project for over a year, in July 2021 the Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company Ltd (HBRIC), the investment vehicle of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, was named as Foodeast’s lead investor. HBRIC’s $4m investment resulted in a 67% stake in a newly formed Limited Partnership, alongside the HDC and a private partner, Progressive Meats, each with a 16% representation.
Shortly after this, the name ‘Haumako’ was bestowed upon the facility by Ngāti Kahungunu chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana and the land was blessed ahead of the commencement of construction.
Meanwhile, RTA Architects had been commissioned to design the ‘Hub’ and HB Construction won the tender to build it. Like so many other projects, Covid hampered progress and forced a rethink of the original plans. Due to escalating material costs, the main building was redesigned to remain within budget.
Finally, in October 2022 diggers arrived on site at Hanui Road and site preparation work began in earnest before the actual build commenced in January 2023.
Manu whenua from Waipatu marae blessed the facility on 21st May 2024. Then in July, staff moved in, originally working on trestle tables borrowed from the Waimarama Surf Lifesaving Club, until the arrival of furniture supplied by a Hastings based company, Int. Workspaces.
The first tenant, JMP Limited, moved in in July 2024 and others quickly followed.
Foodeast Haumako was officially opened by the Honourable Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Development, on the 6th December 2024.
Our Gift
Foodeast Haumako has a strong relationship with Manu Whenua and this connection has been an integral part of the project.
In 2021, the chairman of Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngahiwi Tomoana, bestowed upon us a beautiful and treasured gift in the name ‘Haumako’.
Said Mr Tomoana at the time, “Haumako translates to richness and fertility, and so metaphorically links to the productive lands of the Heretaunga Plains, from which the bounty of produce and product comes”.
It is referenced in the Heretaunga whakataukī:
Heretaunga haukū-nui
Heretaunga ara-rau
Heretaunga hāro-o-te-kāhu
Heretaunga ringa-hora
Heretaunga raoroa-haumako
Heretaunga takoto noa
Heretaunga of life-giving waters
Heretaunga of multiple pathways
Heretaunga as seen through the eyes of the Hawk
Heretaunga of open hands hospitality abound
Heretaunga of fertile, rich, productive soils
Heretaunga that has been left to us and that we should leave in better condition for future generations