Welcome to The Old Packhouse
We’re very proud of what the building has become and what it means to our local community. Some call it “the beating heart of Kerikeri”, others the “hub” of Kerikeri. It definitely has become the meeting place for locals and visitors, and synonymous for supporting all things local.
Originally from Auckland, Judy and Warrick Hyland relocated to Kerikeri in 2005 after their 6 children had grown up and left home. They had a small cabinetry and giftware business in Auckland but Warrick had always wanted to move to Northland to help his father with running the family farms and, with their children gone, Judy and Warrick were looking for new challenges.
Warrick’s father bought the property at 505 Kerikeri Road in 2012. It was known then as Dundee Lumber/ Interiors Dundee; a timber milling and furniture manufacturing business.
The couple opened their cabinetry business, Hylands Ancient Kauri, within the building in 2013. At the same time, they had a hankering to set up a Growers and Artisan Market in Kerikeri. Both loved the town but felt the community needed a meeting place and a really good all weather under cover market. Northland has an abundance of talented and hard-working small business owners and entrepreneurs and the couple thought it would be fun to provide a place where they could display and sell their wares; where growers could bring their produce to sell, and where the community could enjoy a variety of fabulous foodies and great live local entertainment.
Hence The Packhouse Market family began.
The first Saturday Market was held in October 2014 and the Sunday Market began in 2018. The Markets are open every weekend, rain or shine (except for Covid lockdowns).
Judy and Warrick love and value the camaraderie, the friendships formed between stallholders, the financial difference the Market has made to many people’s lives, and the joy it brings to so many.
In establishing the Market it made sense for the couple to have their own café and bakery stall. They found local people to help, and with Warrick’s building and cabinetry skills, the Market Café and Bakery were born. What started as a small weekend operation has grown and grown into the busy, bustling Café, Bakery, Butchery/Deli and Store open 7-days a week.
The Old Packhouse now employs 35 people. One of the highlights for Judy and Warrick is seeing the many young local school students join The Packhouse at 15 without any work experience, and leave to go off to university at 18 with hospitality, customer service and barista skills.