Road to be named after Hastings business icon

The road which will take shoppers to Hastings’ latest retail development is to be named after one of the city’s iconic businessmen.

The construction of the Home HQ large format retail development on the former Nelson Park site required Caroline Road to be divided in two and the city side is to be renamed Sir James Wattie Place.

Sir James formed J Wattie Canneries in Hastings in the early 1930’s and the company was so successful that its products had become household brands throughout New Zealand and in many other parts of the world, less than twenty years later.

The growth of the company in its early days was phenomenal and quickly cemented itself as a major employer of workers from around the region. The company continued to prosper under Sir James’ leadership and he was made a commander of the British Empire in 1963 and knighted in 1966.

Councillor Margaret Twigg proposed the renaming of the road. She says “it’s appropriate that this piece of road is named after the great businessman, as his tireless work created one of New Zealand’s largest companies while he contributed greatly to New Zealand industry and the Hastings economy over many years. The street is also very close to the current site of Heinz Wattie’s factory which makes it even more appropriate.”

Mayor Lawrence Yule says “Sir James Wattie Place is an important first component in the link between the Home HQ site and the Hastings CBD. Council is very keen that the new development is well connected to the CBD and both retail areas work together to strengthen Hastings as a great shopping destination.”

Mr Yule says “Sir James Wattie Place also complements Council’s iWay project by providing easy and safe walking and cycling connections to Home HQ and throughout the rest of the city.”

Granddaughter Caren Wattie says “it is gratifying that the memory of my grandfather can be commemorated in such a positive way. I am sure he would have been very proud to have a street in Hastings named after him, particularly one which is so close to the factory where he spent so much of his working life.”

“The family is very honoured that Sir James has been afforded this great privilege.”

The Sir James Wattie Place street sign will be officially unveiled by the Wattie family on Monday September 26th 9.25am and this ceremony will be followed by a blessing of the new Warehouse store.