Story: Farming in the economy

Wattie’s produce

Wattie’s produce

James Wattie started his business canning fruit in 1934, and in 1936 he added a selection of vegetables. The business expanded in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. In 1955 the company began quick-freezing peas. By the end of the 1950s Wattie’s was a major exporter of canned and frozen produce. These workers are inspecting peas in the Hastings factory in January 1948.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand Free Lance Collection (PAColl-0785)
Reference: PAColl-9531-19

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Robert Peden, 'Farming in the economy - The golden years, 1950s to 1980s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17640/watties-produce (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Robert Peden, published 24 Nov 2008