DB-owned Tuatara are moving from Paraparaumu, with a plan to relocate to Upper Hutt’s Brewtown.
The move, expected to be completed this year, will end more two decades as a Kāpiti Coast business.
Heineken-owned DB, which bought the brand in 2017, said it was investing in a new, purpose-built facility in Brewtown, which also houses the Panhead, Boneface and Te Aro taprooms, among other hospitality and entertainment businesses.
A spokesperson for DB told Pursuit of Hoppiness that the move was not related to a craft brewery advertised as for sale on TradeMe.
Leading Craft Brewery | Trade Me
“We’ll be going into a pre-existing site in Brewtown, but won’t be able to confirm anything until all the details have been finalised. It’s not the brewery [for sale] though.
“As part of the process to find the right facility and location we canvassed a wide range of locations and options. Brewtown was the clear winner in terms of meeting our needs from both a production perspective as well as fit within the craft beer community. It also allows us to design and build a brewery from the start to be efficient, safe, and sustainable.”
Asked them about a potential hospitality side of the business, DB said: “We can’t confirm anything at this stage, but we’re excited about the new possibilities this site could offer in terms of future innovation.”
Some Tuatara Hazy Pale Ale is currently brewed at DB’s Timaru brewery in order to meet demand but there are no plans to shift any other Tuatara brews to either the Waitematā or Timaru breweries.
Tuatara started in Reikorangi, near Waikanae, in 2000. It moved to larger premises in neighbouring Paraparaumu in 2013.
There are 19 staff at the Paraparaumu site.
“We are still working through the various options open to affected staff, which will be determined by factors such as how many are willing to relocate to the new site at Brewtown,” the spokesperson said.
“The wellbeing of our people remains our top priority and we are supporting them through this transition as well as hoping that many do wish to relocate.”
The current Tuatara brew-kit at Paraparaumu is well past its best according to Tuatara head brewer Paul Roigard, who told Pursuit of Hoppiness it was “past retirement”.