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Havelock North boutique dairy company Origin Earth saved by last minute buyer

Origin Earth use refillable glass bottles and refillable milk kegs for cafes. Photo: Supplied / Origin Earth Havelock North-based boutique dairy company Origin Earth has been saved from the brink of closure by a last minute buyer who will keep the business operating as usual. In May the business told RNZ is was closing down after 15 years of providing customers with locally sourced sustainable products. But in a surprising turn of events, the much loved local company will now be keeping its doors open, just under new ownership. "The Company has been purchased from Joanie and Richard Williams. New owners Bruce and Kathy Wattie are preferring to stay in the background and will concentrate on relocation and expansion of the business." The business produces a range of milk, cheese and yoghurt products that it sells in local supermarkets, farmers markets and to cafes and consumers. Their refillable glass bottles and unique refillable milk kegs for cafes have proved popular - with the business reducing plastic in the region by 3500 plastic bottles a month. They've had a rocky year, as in August last year Origin Earth decided to close, due to rising lease costs, predatory pricing by larger companies and a struggling economy. But after a huge public response, they managed to stay open. Origin Earth produce a range of milk, cheese and yoghurt products. Photo: Supplied / Origin Earth In December 2024 Origin Earth terminated the lease on their Havelock North building with landlord Peak Vision Church, and said the catalyst was a 32 percent rent increase over three years. They continued on a month-by-month lease and were looking at selling the business, when in March the landlord sent a scanned letter saying the lease was ending and Origin Earth had to be out of the building by 31 May. However, the new owners have negotiated an extension of the lease so they can keep supplying customers while a new location is found. Origin Earth founders, Joanie and Richard Williams told RNZ they'll continue to have a role in the company and are excited at the prospect of the new structure. "We have always had the visions but like many small businesses, have lacked the capital. We are very keen to see our last 15 years' work recognised and expanded by new owners," Joanie said. She said nothing would change and there would be no interruption to supply chains. "Our local milk will still be on your supermarket or favourite store shelf or served at your favourite café. We will be expanding the availability of our cheeses. "Origin Earth's sheep milk cheeses which we have been producing for 15 years will also continue alongside our cows' milk offerings," she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.