Other Sectors
Here you'll find success stories from other sectors in the Whakatāne District, including law, kitchen building, olive growing, and more.
Hamertons Lawyers
The roots of Hamertons Lawyers go back to 1923, when Tom Hamerton commenced legal practice in Tāneatua. As the demographics of the Eastern Bay of Plenty changed, Hamertons expanded into Whakatāne and has been growing ever since. Hamertons now has a staff of 30, including 11 lawyers and four legal executives.
Hamertons Lawyers is a full service law firm based in Whakatāne and is the largest law firm in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Its team of experienced solicitors and qualified legal executives, with support from a number of experienced staff, undertakes a wide range of legal work for a significant and well-established client base. Hamertons offers its staff a good work/life balance, and this has become a pillar of staff recruitment in recent years.
"Whakatāne is a great place to live and do business. As a lawyer in Whakatāne, you can have both a rewarding career and a great lifestyle, which is one of the things that initially attracted me to Whakatāne and has kept me here for 13 years now. For someone who grew up in ‘landlocked’ Hamilton, living at Ōhope beach is fantastic. I enjoy the genuine nature of the relationships that are formed within the business community in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. It’s an easy place to work and a great place to live." —Director Steve Franklin
More about Hamertons Lawyers »
Beaver Kitchens
Originally founded in 1996 and specialising in cabinet making, Beaver Kitchens has built a solid reputation throughout the District and the country for award-winning kitchen design and construction.
Owner and designer Mark Bruce has a proven record in the industry and is one of the few designers in NZ with a Diploma in Kitchen Design and a current Certified Kitchen Design qualification. He is also currently the National Tutor and Assessor for the NZQA kitchen design qualifications. The proof of Beaver Kitchens’ success is in their consistent placing in national design awards, with over 30 national awards won through the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association and the Master Joiners Association.
Showrooms in McAlister Street reflect their standard of design and workmanship, and their investment in these showrooms also reflects their commitment to the Eastern Bay of Plenty by offering a professional design studio for local clients.
Moutohora Estate
Moutohora Estate is a multi-award-winning olive grove situated in the sand dunes of Thornton, 15 km west of Whakatāne and 8 km south of Whale Island (or Moutohorā, from which it takes its name). In 2011, Moutohora Estate won the Supreme Award of Best in Show at the Olive NZ national competition, and it has followed this accolade with regular placings in other competitions.
Owners Gerrit and Wil Kruithoed gradually converted the previously existing vineyard into an olive grove, and it now comprises around 800 olive trees. The light sandy soils of the dunes, gentle sea breeze and high sunshine hours, organic management of the grove, selective and careful hand pickings, and immediate pressings have all contributed to the high quality of the award-winning oils.
The olive grove is open to visitors by appointment only, and Moutohora products are available in local retail outlets, markets and for order on line.
Email Moutohora Estate for more information: moutohoraestate@netsmart.net.nz
Ottoloom
Ottoloom started with the discovery of stylish, practical and luxurious pestamel (flat woven, thin Turkish towels). It has since become much more.
Director Anna Williams noticed a gap in the market for these unique handmade towels. She acquired New Zealand distribution rights for the only Turkish towels still made on traditional shuttle looms by weaving families in Southern Turkey. Using 100% GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic Turkish cotton and GOTS-certified dyes, the Ottoloom Turkish range has grown to include thick looped towels, robes, throws, beach ponchos and blankets.
Ottoloom aims to grow by sourcing other products made by artisans around the world that are unique, of exceptional quality, and made in a sustainable way following fair trade principles. For summer 2016, Ottoloom introduces a new range of textiles from Japan exclusive to the New Zealand market. Made using traditional techniques and the highest quality yarns, the Japanese range continues the Ottoloom ethos of sustainable luxury.
Ottoloom has experienced rapid growth since its inception in 2012, with over 50 retail stockists nationwide, growing online sales, and a strong following on social media.
- Winner: Best Emerging Business, 2014 Eastern Bay of Plenty Horizon Energy Business Awards
"There is a reason everyone talks about the amazing Eastern Bay lifestyle – it’s absolutely true! I’ve lived in many places around New Zealand and overseas, and Whakatāne has hands down the best climate and a pretty superb lifestyle for working and living. It is central, so easy for me to travel to Auckland for work when I need to. The daily grind of dropping off kids and collecting them is so easy compared with larger centres, and there is no way we could afford to live right at the beach in other coastal regions!" —Anna Williams