Wattie's (Kraft Heinz)
Business / Trading Name: Wattie’s – The company’s legal name is Heinz Wattie’s Limited, often trading simply as “Wattie’s,” a well-known New Zealand food brand.
Company Number: 540128 – Registered in New Zealand under this company number.
NZBN: 9429039009975 – New Zealand Business Number assigned to Heinz Wattie’s Limited.
Entity Type: NZ Limited Company – A limited liability company incorporated in New Zealand (original incorporation date 7 April 1992).
Business Classification: Food processing and packaged foods manufacturing – Wattie’s produces a wide range of canned, frozen, and shelf-stable foods (fruits, vegetables, sauces, baby foods, pet foods, etc.). The company is classified under processed food manufacturing (FMCG sector).
Industry Category: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) – Food & Beverage – Wattie’s operates in the food processing industry, particularly prepared and packaged foods for the grocery market.
Year Founded: 1934 – Originally founded in 1934 in Hawke’s Bay by Sir James Wattie (with Harold Carr) as J. Wattie Canneries. (Wattie’s became part of Heinz in 1992 via acquisition.)
Addresses: Head Office & Registered Office: 513 King Street North, Hastings 4122, New Zealand. (Postal: P.O. Box 439, Hastings 4156.) Auckland Office: 46 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052 (corporate/admin office). The company also has production facilities in Hastings (Tomoana and King St), Christchurch (Hornby), Dunedin, and previously Auckland (ex-Cerebos Greggs site).
Website URL: www.watties.co.nz – Official consumer website.
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heinz-wattie's---an-hj-heinz-company/ – Wattie’s has a LinkedIn page (“Wattie’s (Kraft Heinz)”) featuring company updates and job listings.
Company Hub NZ URL: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429039009975 – Listing on CompanyHub shows registration details (e.g. status, number, NZBN).
NZ Companies Office URL: https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/540128 (The official Companies Office record provides directors, shareholding and filings information.)
Social Media URLs: Facebook: “Wattie’s NZ” (facebook.com/WattiesNZ) – official Facebook page with consumer engagement. Instagram: @wattiesnz (https://www.instagram.com/watties_newzealand/?hl=en). YouTube: Wattie’s has content via Kraft Heinz’s YouTube (for commercials). (Twitter/X: No active Wattie’s-specific account; corporate parent uses @kraftheinz.)
Ultimate Holding Company: The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC) – Wattie’s is a fully owned subsidiary of the Kraft Heinz Company, a U.S.-based multinational formed by the 2015 merger of H.J. Heinz Co. and Kraft Foods. (Major shareholders of Kraft Heinz include Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital.) Wattie’s is part of Kraft Heinz’s Asia-Pacific operations.
Key Shareholders: H.J. Heinz Company (New Zealand) Limited – 100%. Heinz Wattie’s Ltd is wholly owned by H.J. Heinz Co. (NZ) Ltd, which holds all shares. (H.J. Heinz Co. NZ is ultimately controlled by the global Kraft Heinz group. No public or local minority shareholding exists, as Wattie’s is not listed on NZX.)
Leadership: Non-Executive Chairman (ANZ): Mike Pretty – former Managing Director of Wattie’s (2014–2019) and current Chair of Kraft Heinz Australia/New Zealand. Managing Director (NZ): Neil Heffer – served as NZ Managing Director from ~2018 until late 2024. (Heffer, originally from the UK, led Wattie’s NZ for ~5 years and departed in 2024.) As of 2025, the NZ Managing Director role is transitioning; an interim leadership team is overseen by Kraft Heinz APAC executives. Other key executives: Carolyn Fox (Director, based in Australia); Michael Pretty (NZ Director, former MD); Rafael de Oliveira (Director, Kraft Heinz Melbourne). The senior management includes heads of Marketing, Operations, Finance etc., but public info is limited.
Staff: Approximately 900 full-time employees in New Zealand, plus seasonal and casual workers (often ~300–400 temporary staff during peak harvest/production periods). In total, Wattie’s workforce has historically been around 1,200–1,900 including seasonal hires, though automation and recent restructures have reduced permanent staff. The company remains one of the largest food industry employers in Hawke’s Bay, with smaller teams in Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin.
Staff That Have Held Previous Government Roles: None identified. No senior Wattie’s executives or staff in the public domain have been previously employed in government or served as MPs/senior public officials. (By contrast, the Food & Grocery Council’s former CEO was an ex-MP, but she was not a Wattie’s employee.) The company’s government relations personnel, if any, operate behind the scenes and are not publicly known as former officials.
Past Employees: Notable former leaders and figures: Sir James Wattie (1902–1974) – founder and namesake, led the company from 1934 until his death, establishing Wattie’s as a Kiwi icon. Nigel Comer – long-time executive who served as Wattie’s Managing Director and later Regional CEO (Pacific) for Heinz; instrumental in 1990s–2000s growth. Michael Gibson – 22-year veteran of Wattie’s who became Managing Director in 2012, overseeing integration of Australian production before departing in 2013. Tim Skellern – former Marketing Director (noted for public communications). Many employees have spent decades at Wattie’s; the company culture often emphasizes family generations working there. (No known “revolving door” cases of Wattie’s staff leaving to become government officials were identified.)
Clients: Major supermarket chains and food distributors – Wattie’s primary customers are New Zealand’s grocery retailers: Foodstuffs (Pak’n’Save, New World) and Woolworths NZ (Countdown) stock Wattie’s products nationwide. The company supplies virtually every supermarket in NZ with its branded products, and also produces some house-brand products for retailers. Additionally, Wattie’s has foodservice clients (supplying bulk products to restaurants, catering, etc.) and export customers: the company exports certain products (e.g. frozen vegetables, soups, sauces) to Australia, the Pacific Islands and Asia. (For example, after 2012 Wattie’s became the regional supplier of Heinz tomato ketchup for Australasia.) Essentially, New Zealand’s retail grocery sector is its biggest client base, and by extension NZ consumers are the end-clients for Wattie’s goods.
Industries/Sectors Represented: Wattie’s is a food manufacturing and processing company in the packaged food industry. It represents the processed foods sector (canned/frozen fruits and vegetables, ready meals, sauces, condiments, infant food, pet food, etc.). Given its product range, Wattie’s is intertwined with New Zealand’s agricultural sector (especially horticulture – tomatoes, peaches, maize, peas, etc. for processing) and the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain to supermarkets. Through industry bodies, Wattie’s also speaks for grocery product manufacturers as a whole on issues like food regulation and trade.
Publicly Disclosed Engagements: Wattie’s (often via its parent or industry groups) has engaged in various official consultations and lobbying activities:
Trade & Tariff Submissions: In 2012, Heinz Wattie’s Ltd made a submission to the Australia–NZ Productivity Commission joint study, opposing proposals to weaken anti-dumping protections (arguing it would harm NZ food manufacturers). More recently, Wattie’s lodged an official complaint to MBIE in 2022 alleging dumped imports of Chinese canned peaches were hurting its sales and growers – prompting a government trade investigation in 2023.
Regulatory Consultations: Wattie’s has input into food regulations – e.g. a submission on country-of-origin labelling standards for food products and participation in Food Standards Australia New Zealand processes (often under the Heinz or Food & Grocery Council banner).
Government Meetings: There have been ministerial engagements. August 2022 – Energy Minister Megan Woods visited Wattie’s Hornby (Christchurch) plant to discuss decarbonisation and energy usage in processing. June 2021 – Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern toured Wattie’s Hastings factory, a high-profile visit highlighting food industry jobs and supply chains. Such visits serve as both publicity and an opportunity for Wattie’s to inform officials of industry challenges.
Industry Working Groups: A Wattie’s executive (Mike Pretty) has sat on the govt’s Plastic Packaging Product Stewardship working group, helping design recycling regulations. The company (through FGC) also engaged with the Commerce Commission’s Grocery Market Study (2021–22), advocating for fairer supermarket-supplier terms.
Parliamentary Submissions: On public health proposals (e.g. sugar reduction strategies, advertising rules), Wattie’s views are usually conveyed via the NZ Food & Grocery Council. These engagements are not always individually publicized but are part of the public record (select committee submissions, etc., often under FGC’s umbrella).
Affiliations: Wattie’s is a prominent member of the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council (FGC) – in fact, Wattie’s Managing Director Mike Pretty became Chair of the FGC Board in 2019. The FGC is the industry association representing food and consumer goods manufacturers, and Wattie’s has long been a core participant (FGC membership gives Wattie’s a collective lobbying voice on regulations, trade, etc.). Wattie’s (or its executives) are also involved in broader business groups; for example, FGC is part of BusinessNZ, and through that connection Wattie’s interests align with BusinessNZ’s advocacy for manufacturers. Additionally, Wattie’s works with horticultural and farming bodies given its reliance on local produce – e.g. it coordinates with Process Vegetables NZ and growers’ associations (such as Tomato growers, Peach growers in Hawke’s Bay). Wattie’s has on occasion partnered with government agencies and initiatives (e.g. a Primary Growth Partnership program on sustainable agriculture, and Callaghan Innovation grants for R&D in food technology – indicating affiliation with government-funded industry schemes). Internationally, Wattie’s is part of Kraft Heinz’s global network and thus affiliated with global industry groups via its parent.
Sponsorships / Collaborations: Wattie’s engages in community sponsorships that align with its brand:
Plunket (Whānau Āwhina Plunket): For over 30 years Wattie’s has partnered with Plunket, NZ’s largest child health service, through the “Wattie’s for Baby” program. This long-running collaboration involves Wattie’s providing baby food and resources, co-branding on infant nutrition guides, and supporting new parents via Plunket’s network – ostensibly to promote infant health (while also marketing Wattie’s baby foods).
Salvation Army – Food Rescue: Wattie’s is a longstanding partner of The Salvation Army. Since 1995 the company has run annual canned food donation drives (formerly the Wattie’s Cans Film Festival, now Wattie’s Cans for Good) to stock Salvation Army food banks each Christmas, matching public donations can-for-can (up to 25,000 cans). This high-profile charity campaign involves schools and communities nationwide and highlights Wattie’s role in fighting hunger.
Community Events: Wattie’s sponsors local events in Hawke’s Bay (where it’s a major employer), such as agricultural shows, canning competitions, or supporting food stalls at community festivals. In 2023–24, to celebrate Wattie’s 90th anniversary, the company collaborated with local councils on public events and donated to community causes (including disaster relief for cyclone-hit growers, etc.).
Sports/Other: Historically Wattie’s has done limited sports sponsorship (unlike some corporates) but has occasionally supported kids’ sports programs with product donations (e.g. supplying sauce for sausage sizzles). The company also partners with food rescue organizations and school breakfast clubs via the Kraft Heinz Global Foundation.
Educational Collaborations: Wattie’s works with universities and food science institutes on product development and sustainability projects, sometimes co-sponsoring research (for instance, on plant-based packaging or crop yields).
(Through these sponsorships, Wattie’s positions itself as a socially responsible corporate citizen, leveraging its iconic status to support families and communities.)
Events (Organised by this Organisation):
Wattie’s Cans for Good: Annual nationwide event each November (in partnership with Salvation Army) where schools and groups collect canned food for charity, incorporating educational activities about helping communities. Wattie’s coordinates and promotes this drive, an evolution of the earlier Wattie’s Cans Film Festival (1980s–2015) which offered movie tickets in exchange for canned food donations.
“Family Day”/90th Anniversary Celebrations: In September 2024, Wattie’s held a large family carnival event at Tomoana Showgrounds, Hastings, to celebrate 90 years since its founding – inviting ~2,000 people (staff and families) for a day of games, food, and recognition of long-serving employees. Local dignitaries (e.g. the Mayor) attended. This internal event highlighted Wattie’s heritage and thanked workers, serving also as positive PR in the region.
Promotional Events: Wattie’s occasionally runs public promotional events or competitions linked to its products – e.g. pop-up sampling kitchens, recipe contests (like asking the public for favorite recipes for a Wattie’s cookbook), or seasonal promotions (such as summer BBQ events showcasing Wattie’s tomato sauce). These are marketing-driven but often have event components (e.g. a Wattie’s food truck at fairs).
Industry Events: Wattie’s participates in trade shows like the Fine Food New Zealand expo, and has hosted supplier field days (e.g. inviting farmers to tours of its plants or research farm). It also organizes internal conferences for its growers and suppliers to discuss crop planning and quality.
(No known political fundraising events are hosted by Wattie’s. Its events focus on community goodwill and brand promotion.)
Political Donations: No publicly disclosed political donations in NZ. Heinz Wattie’s Limited (and its parent Kraft Heinz) have not been identified in New Zealand Electoral Commission records as donors to political parties or candidates. The company tends to advance its interests via lobbying and industry representation rather than direct donations. (Globally, Kraft Heinz operates a PAC in the US for political contributions, but in New Zealand corporate political donations are relatively rare and tightly regulated. Wattie’s, being foreign-owned, would in any case be restricted from donating beyond nominal amounts.) There is no record of significant donations by Wattie’s executives either. (Its industry body, FGC, also makes no donations by policy.)
Controversies:
Uyghur Forced Labour Supply Chain Allegations (2023–25): Investigative research in 2023–24 linked Wattie’s (via Kraft Heinz) to tomatoes sourced from Xinjiang, China, where Uyghur forced labour is a known issue. Specifically, it was revealed Wattie’s imported tomato paste from a Chinese state-owned firm (COFCO) operating in Xinjiang, implicating Wattie’s in the forced labour scandal. This “beloved Kiwi brand” was named among companies potentially benefiting from coerced labour in their supply chain, sparking negative media coverage in early 2025. The company responded that it was reviewing its suppliers, but the incident highlighted risks in Wattie’s global sourcing.
Public Health Lobbying (“Dirty Politics” concerns): Wattie’s (through the FGC) has been criticized by health advocates for its role in opposing public health measures. The FGC (chaired by Wattie’s MD) consistently campaigned against a sugar tax on soft drinks, stricter junk-food marketing rules, and mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labels. In 2014, it emerged that FGC’s then-CEO (ex-MP Katherine Rich) was involved in covertly funding attacks on health activists (“Dirty Politics” scandal). As one of FGC’s largest members, Wattie’s came under scrutiny by association – accused of putting profit over public health. While Wattie’s itself kept a low profile, its products (high in salt/sugar) are often cited in debates on obesity and nutrition, and the company has lobbied to stave off regulation (e.g. arguing instead for voluntary reformulation and education).
Product Safety Incidents: Wattie’s has had occasional recalls. For example, in 2001 it recalled a batch of canned baked beans after a consumer found a piece of metal in a can. In 2018, a batch of Wattie’s baby food pouches was withdrawn over a spoilage risk. Such incidents have been relatively rare given Wattie’s long history, but they garner media attention due to the brand’s ubiquity. Wattie’s typically responds by cooperating with regulators (MPI) and issuing refunds. No long-term harm occurred in these cases, but they underscore the importance of quality control in its factories.
Environmental and Labour Issues: Wattie’s has faced complaints about factory odours and wastewater in Hastings in the past, and has had to invest in better waste treatment to meet council consents. In 2021, Wattie’s had to pay out over 1,000 employees due to historical underpayment of holiday pay (a nationwide issue under the Holidays Act). The company has also made periodic layoffs; e.g. in 2020 it cut ~70 jobs in Hastings due to efficiency drives. These cuts, though framed as “voluntary redundancies,” drew community concern given Wattie’s status as a major employer. Unions have generally had an ongoing presence at Wattie’s plants (e.g. E tū Union), and while industrial actions have been infrequent, wage and condition negotiations occasionally surface in local news.
Trans-Tasman “Ketchup War” (2012): Wattie’s became briefly controversial in Australia after Heinz closed its Victoria tomato sauce factory in 2012, shifting ketchup production to Hastings, NZ. This cost 146 Australian jobs and led to Australian consumer backlash (calls to boycott Heinz/Wattie’s products and political ire about jobs “exported” to NZ). An Australian MP even launched a rival “Aussie ketchup.” In NZ, however, this was seen as a win for Hawke’s Bay. The episode highlighted the tensions in trans-Tasman business decisions and Wattie’s dual role as a Kiwi icon but part of a global corporation.
Brand Image vs. Reality: Some critics note a “controversy” in Wattie’s marketing itself as 100% Kiwi (“NZ’s Favourite”, “proudly made in NZ” on many products), while being foreign-owned and using imported ingredients. The 2020 palm oil debate is one example – Wattie’s was questioned for using imported palm oil (linked to deforestation) in some products; the company responded by joining RSPO sustainable palm initiatives. Similarly, consumer trust in Wattie’s “Kiwi” produce was shaken by revelations that not all ingredients are local (e.g. some tomato paste, as noted). These are reputational issues that Wattie’s works to mitigate by emphasizing its local grower relationships and community roots.
Other Information of Note (Media and Public Profile): Wattie’s occupies a unique place in New Zealand’s cultural landscape as a household name synonymous with kiwi comfort food. It has repeatedly been voted New Zealand’s most trusted brand and most influential brand in consumer surveys, reflecting strong goodwill. Marketing experts often cite Wattie’s as an example of a brand that successfully “localised” an international conglomerate – Kiwis still perceive Wattie’s as a local icon, downplaying that it’s owned by a U.S. multinational. The company actively cultivates its heritage in media stories: celebrating its 90-year history, telling the story of Sir James Wattie (who is almost a folk hero in Hawke’s Bay), and using slogans like “You’ll always be a Kiwi if you love our Wattie’s Sauce” from classic ad campaigns. Media coverage of Wattie’s is generally positive when focusing on human-interest angles (e.g. long-serving employees, community donations, new product launches based on Kiwi tastes). However, investigative media and academics (such as the Integrity Institute’s Bryce Edwards) have pointed out Wattie’s and its industry peers enjoy limited scrutiny. There is no requirement in NZ to disclose lobbying activities, and Wattie’s as a private company releases minimal financial details – meaning its influence is often behind closed doors. When controversies (as listed above) arise, they tend to be reported briefly without long-lasting damage to Wattie’s public image, given the reservoir of trust in the brand. In summary, Wattie’s public profile is that of a venerable, family-favourite brand (“Kiwi as”), which it bolsters through PR about sustainability initiatives, farmer partnerships (highlighting that over 80% of its vegetables are NZ-grown), and community support. Yet beneath that, media commentators note that Wattie’s leverage over policy (through quiet lobbying and association clout) and its profit repatriation to overseas shareholders receive comparatively little public attention – a gap in transparency that The Integrity Institute’s Register aims to highlight.
Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: No. Heinz Wattie’s Limited did not receive Covid-19 Wage Subsidy payments during the 2020–21 scheme in New Zealand. As an essential food producer, Wattie’s continued operating through lockdowns (with strong supermarket demand), so it did not qualify for the 30% revenue drop threshold. The official MSD wage subsidy database shows no claim by Heinz Wattie’s. (By contrast, the industry association FGC did take a small wage subsidy for its own staff, but Wattie’s itself did not seek any subsidy relief.) Additionally, Wattie’s avoided any public backlash related to the wage subsidy, unlike some companies that took subsidies and later paid dividends – Wattie’s situation did not necessitate government support.
Sources
Wattie’s – Wikipedia entry, Wikipedia (accessed 2025) – “Heinz Wattie’s Limited (or simply Wattie’s) is a New Zealand–based food producer…” (overview of company, founding year, parent company) – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattie%27s
Company Profile – Heinz Wattie’s Ltd, Katalyst Business (2025) – Head office address, website and brand portfolio of Wattie’s (showing 513 King St North, Hastings and key brands under Wattie’s) – katalystbusiness.co.nz
NZ Companies Office Register – Heinz Wattie’s Limited, NZ Companies Office (2024) – Official registry information (NZBN 9429039009975, Company No. 540128, incorporation 7 Apr 1992, NZ Limited Company status) – companies-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz
Food & Grocery Council: Heinz Wattie’s boss Mike Pretty chairs FGC, FGC press release (9 Apr 2019) – Notes Wattie’s MD Mike Pretty becoming Chair of NZ Food & Grocery Council; describes Wattie’s as “one of NZ’s biggest consumer food companies, with extensive operations in Hastings, Christchurch and Auckland… exports to many countries.” – fgc.org.nz
Hawke’s Bay Today: Wattie’s celebrates 90 years in Hawke’s Bay, NZ Herald (29 Sep 2024) – Report on Wattie’s 90th anniversary family day, mentioning ~900 full-time employees and Wattie’s founding after the 1931 quake – nzherald.co.nz
Terms of Use – Food in a Minute (Kraft Heinz NZ), KraftHeinz.com (2021) – Legal notice stating: “We are Heinz Wattie’s Limited, NZBN 9429039009975.” (confirmation of company identity and NZBN) – kraftheinz.com
New Zealand Business Directory – Heinz Wattie’s Ltd, NZLBusiness.com (retrieved 2024) – Aggregated company info: NZBN 9429039009975, Company No. 540128, previous names, addresses; shows H.J. Heinz Co. (NZ) Ltd as 100% shareholder with 200,044,090 shares – nzlbusiness.com
LinkedIn – Wattie’s (Kraft Heinz), LinkedIn.com (accessed 2025) – Company LinkedIn page reference (nz.linkedin.com/company/heinz-wattie) containing company description: merger with Kraft Heinz in 1992, heritage values, etc. – linkedin.com
Facebook – Wattie’s NZ, Facebook (accessed 2025) – Official Facebook fan page for Wattie’s NZ (~99,000 followers), providing social media presence and customer helpline info – facebook.com/WattiesNZ
Hawke’s Bay Today: Heinz Wattie’s appoints COO Gibson managing director, NZ Herald (23 Feb 2012) – News that Michael Gibson was appointed MD of Wattie’s; notes Nigel Comer (Regional CEO for Heinz AUS/NZ) announcing it and Gibson’s 22-year career rising from Frozen Foods to COO – nzherald.co.nz
GreatThingsGrowHere.co.nz: Wattie’s – preserving the legacy, BayBuzz feature (2021) – Interview with MD Neil Heffer (in role 3 years) highlighting Wattie’s Hawke’s Bay roots, 2020 financial figures (HJ Heinz group NZ$767m revenue, $41m profit, $900m assets in 2020) – greatthingsgrowhere.co.nz
Democracy Project / Bryce Edwards: Food & Grocery Council profile, DemocracyProject.substack (2023) – Analysis of NZ Food & Grocery Council, noting it “has consistently campaigned against proposals like a sugar tax… stricter junk-food advertising rules… mandatory front-of-pack labels”; also notes FGC received Covid wage subsidies – democracyproject.substack.com
Newsroom: Govt investigating China peach dumping claims, Newsroom (Dec 2022) – Article on MBIE launching an anti-dumping investigation after Heinz Wattie’s alleged that cheap Chinese canned peaches were harming its sales, market share and profit (FoodTicker summaries corroborate) – newsroom.co.nz
Food Ticker: No dice for Heinz Wattie’s in Chinese peach dumping investigation, FoodTicker (28 Aug 2023) – Trade media piece (subscription) indicating MBIE’s investigation did not result in immediate tariffs (implying Wattie’s complaint faced hurdles) – foodticker.co.nz
NZ Herald: Concerns over changes to dumping law, NZ Herald (6 Jun 2014) – Reports “Heinz Wattie and Hawke’s Bay fruitgrowers have lined up against what they say would be a relaxation of NZ’s anti‑dumping regime” (context for Wattie’s lobbying on trade policy) – nzherald.co.nz
NZ Herald: PM spills the beans during Heinz-Wattie’s factory tour, NZ Herald (10 Jun 2021) – Describes PM Jacinda Ardern’s visit to Wattie’s Hastings plant, her nostalgia for Wattie’s products, and MPs accompanying her – nzherald.co.nz
Beehive.govt.nz – Ministerial Diary (Hon Megan Woods, Aug 2022), NZ Govt (released Sep 2022) – Shows on 19 Aug 2022: “Visit: Heinz Wattie’s Ltd, Hornby, Christchurch – met with Wattie’s representatives, officials (Energy & Resources portfolio)”, confirming minister-level engagement – beehive.govt.nz
TradeWorks NZ – Mike Pretty bio, TradeWorks “Our People” (2023) – Biography of Mike Pretty noting “Non-Executive Chairman Kraft Heinz ANZ (Heinz Wattie’s NZ)”, his 6 years as MD, 6 years as Marketing & R&D Director, and roles on FGC board and government working groups (plastic scheme, Food & Bev ITP) – tradeworks.org.nz
Salvation Army NZ – Wattie’s partnership, SalvationArmy.org.nz (2021) – Details Wattie’s 26+ year partnership: “Since 1995, Wattie’s has run a national appeal encouraging public to donate cans to fill Salvation Army foodbanks… Wattie’s donates matched cans up to 25,000. In 2016, Wattie’s Cans for Good replaced the 22-year Wattie’s Cans Film Festival” – salvationarmy.org.nz
Kraft Heinz 2022 ESG Report, KraftHeinzCompany.com (2023) – Highlights New Zealand content: “Wattie’s for Baby® and Plunket have an ongoing partnership, supporting NZ babies and parents for over 30 years”; also notes Wattie’s facility cut water use intensity by 21% in 2021 – kraftheinzcompany.com (ESG PDF)
NZ Herald: Heinz Wattie recall baked beans, NZ Herald (13 Jul 2001) – Short piece on Wattie’s recalling a batch of baked beans after a consumer found a metal fragment in a can, advising customers to return product (example of product safety issue) – nzherald.co.nz
NZ Herald: Wattie’s tops most trusted list again, NZ Herald (1 Aug 2013) – Reports Wattie’s being voted NZ’s Most Trusted Icon Brand and Most Trusted in Frozen Foods category (Reader’s Digest survey); quotes Wattie’s marketing GM acknowledging the brand’s special place since founding – nzherald.co.nz
The Guardian (AU): Australia’s biggest companies and political donations, The Guardian (Feb 2019) – Mentions “Heinz Wattie’s Pty Ltd” in context of Australian Electoral Commission data, implying Wattie’s (AU) made donations or contributions in Australia (context for corporate political activity abroad) – theguardian.com
Horticulture NZ – Profile on sustainability (Heinz Wattie’s), HortNZ article (2022) – Describes how “Heinz Wattie’s… investigating ways to reduce growers’ GHG emissions… working closely with growers and government” (indicating Wattie’s involvement in agri-environment initiatives) – hortnz.co.nz
Dirty Politics revelations (2014) – Nicky Hager’s investigation (reported via multiple media) – Showed Food & Grocery Council (with Wattie’s as member) funded anonymous blog attacks on public health advocates; ex-FGC CEO Katherine Rich’s involvement led to calls of conflict of interest – NZ Herald / Stuff reports, Aug 2014 (contextual source).
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz