July 2 2009
PRESS RELEASE

Prominent business leaders named in Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame

Food production pioneers featured in the inaugural Hawke’s Bay Business Hall of Fame induction last night.

Sir James Wattie CBE, Graeme Lowe QSM, CNZM and James Nelson (JN) Williams are well known for their success in food processing and were joined by Robert Holt, the founder of Carter Holt in the Hawke’s Bay Chamber and Port of Napier initiative.

Sir James Wattie is the founder of J Wattie Canneries, Mr Lowe is a leader in meat processing and tanneries and JN Williams was the first chairman of Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Federation and owned his own canning plant.

Only Mr Lowe is the only living incuctee and was on hand to receive the accolade at a special function on July 2 at Black Barn in Havelock North. Family members of the other inductees were prominant in attendence.

Craig Foss MP for Tukituki gave the address noting that the first four inductees had made outstanding contributions to business in Hawke’s Bay. Click here to read the full speech.

He added that they had all played a major role in developing a regions economy, employing a large number of people and showing true leadership.

“The four inductees are not only well known locally but are leaders in their sectors and are highly regarded nationally and internationally.

“They have made a significant and positive impact on the regions economy and we are proud to recognise their achievements.

Chamber CEO Murray Douglas said many prominent names were suggested and over time other business leaders will join the likes of Wattie, Holt, Lowe and Williams.

The Business Hall of Fame has the ongoing support of the Port of Napier. The Chamber sought support for the initiative with the Port as it is one of Hawke’s Bay oldest business enterprises and it’s linkage with many local businesses.

The Citations read:

Sir James Wattie CBE (1902–1974) began J Wattie Canneries in 1934, with a contract to supply fruit pulp to an Auckland firm. Production of canned peaches and pears began in 1935, from a rented shed in King Street.

James’s realisation that Hawke’s Bay was fertile ground for expanding his food processing empire, allied with his shrewd business sense and a common touch with workers, resulted in Wattie’s becoming a food processing giant – and a household name in New Zealand.

Many charitable and sporting organisations financially benefited from James’s generosity, which he modestly preferred not to make widely known.

A personal highlight of his sporting life was when his horse Even Stevens won the Melbourne Cup in 1962.

JN Williams (1837–1915) was an early visionary – seeing Hawke’s Bay’s potential to become a prosperous horticultural area.

While in California in 1890, JN observed a thriving fruit growing district – in a climate similar to Hawke’s Bay’s. On returning to Hastings in 1892, he planted 12 acres of fruit trees and vines. By 1898 an impressive 60 one-mile rows of peach trees filled 140 acres of his Frimley block.

JN was the first chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association in 1899, and in 1904, aged 67, he established the pioneering Frimley Canning Factory. He also established and served on many local authorities, such as the Napier Harbour Board and the Hawke’s Bay County Council.

Robert Holt (1832–1909) left economically depressed Lancashire, England to seek his fortune in an isolated town called Napier.

A man who could turn his hand to almost any task, Robert began business upon arriving in Napier in 1859 – initially as a carpenter, joiner and builder, and for a while as an undertaker. His enduring legacy was the sawmilling business he began in the1860s, which became one of New Zealand’s pioneering and most successful sawmilling and timber merchants.

A dedicated family man, Robert involved his two brothers and three sons in the business.

In 1909 Robert’s sons, John and Robert took over the business, with the timber mills reportedly being the largest and best equipped in New Zealand.

Graeme Eric Selby Lowe QSM, CNZM (1934-) began his legendary rise in the meat industry in 1964, purchasing Dawn Meat Limited in Hastings, with two partners. Graeme’s rich combination of imagination, practicality, entrepreneurial flair and relentless energy, saw him develop this small beginning into a thriving chain of meat plants throughout New Zealand.

Graeme was a leader in the meat industry for many years, being the driving force behind many processing and technological innovations, including the single-storied, low-cost meat plant.

After selling his meat-related assets in 1998, Graeme continued to operate companies associated with the meat industry.

Graeme has generously supported many Hawke’s Bay organisations, including the Rescue Helicopter service and McLean Park’s Graeme Lowe Stand.