Sir James Wattie

Sir James Wattie was a prominent New Zealand businessman and the founder of Wattie's, a food manufacturing company established in Hawke's Bay in 1934. His innovative approaches to food processing and canning helped revolutionize the industry in New Zealand, making Wattie's a household name known for its canned fruits and vegetables. Over the decades, the company grew significantly and became a key player in the local economy, employing hundreds of staff and supporting local agriculture. Sir James's legacy continues to impact the food industry, although recent changes in consumer preferences and economic factors have posed challenges for growers in the region.