About The Old Mill

On 7 March 1902, a large paddock previously used for grazing stock by a Main Street resident was bought by a cooperative of Hawke's Bay sheep farmers calling themselves the Hawke’s Bay Woollen Manufacturing Company Limited, A brick building was constructed with clay dug from the site and processed at a brick kiln just round the corner from the Onepoto Gully.

From its establishment, the mill generated its own power. Wool was scoured on site. There are numerous advertisements for goods produced at the mill – blankets, flannel goods, rugs, mauds (a Scottish name for a plaid travelling rug), socks, stockings, bloomers, pants, and jerseys were all manufactured here. A number of tradenames were used including Pania, which, after the statue of Pania became part of the Marine Parade gardens in Napier, included a depiction of this as part of the Pania logo.

The mill was an important industry in Napier and a number of men living in Main Street were employed there. After the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake part of the original building was demolished and rebuilt. 

In 1973 The Kane Carding Company was set up, carding wool for the many craftspeople who were then becoming interested in reviving the craft of spinning with the traditional domestic treadle wheels and weaving with hand looms. The company operated three of the original carding machines that had been purchased for the mill in the 1900s. By 1995, when the company ceased to operate, it was supplying both the export and local market. Since that time a restaurant and function centre has been established at the mill site. 

In December 2020, the main building was purchased by Charlie and Billie where they now live with their 2 boys, Archie and Beau. They are very excited to be carrying on where the Vinks left off and look forward to welcoming you to The Old Mill.