Our Team

We Are Artisans, Using Time Honoured Baking Techniques To Craft The Food We Make

The Largest Family
In Wairarapa

We see everyone who works here, has worked here, or will one day work here, as part of our family. Like all families, we have all ages and talents, and looking after each other is a top priority. Currently, our youngest employee is 16 years old and our oldest employee celebrated their 66th birthday this year.

Our exclusive 20-year Club of people who worked for two decades or more at Breadcraft has seven members, and one of them has been with us for 30 years. Speaking of families, you won’t be surprised to learn that we have no fewer than 12 family groups working in our bakery.

Generations Crafting Great Food

The names Cockburn and Breadcraft are connected across the decades. Our company was founded by Harold Cockburn who ran the business until 1970 when he handed it over to his son Bob. Bob stepped aside in 2003. John and Julie-Anne Cockburn, along with Peter Rewi headed up Breadcraft, before Peter retired in 2018.

The next generation is already primed, Mitch, who is John and Julie-Anne’s oldest son, will be completing his bakery apprenticeship ready to take over the family firm when the time comes. Their daughter, Siena, is off to Uni, but we think there's a fair chance she'll be following in the family footsteps.

Looking After Our Breadcraft Family

From 2020 Breadcraft made a commitment to paying the living wage, currently calculated at $22.10, rising to $22.75 in September, 2021.

We have some of the most skilled bakers in New Zealand making some of the best baked goods every day. As a company, we’ve invested heavily in new equipment, innovation and training development programmes for our family of employees.