Sharon MacIntyre

In 1955, in addition to the production of sponge slippers and “Bumpers”, a variety of new designs in casual footwear with textile uppers and heavy rubber sponge soles was introduced, along with women’s and men’s snow boots. Total production in 1955 was 248,321 pairs, well up on the 208,929 in 1954. 1957 saw a trial production of children’s gumboots. In 1959 Bata began making “Yankees” now known as Jandals. In 1960 the start of children’s leather footwear by the direct Vulcanizing process began, and this was to lead in 1962 to the promotion of Bata DVP Superstrong as the official Scout and Guide Shoe. In 1962 the Bata range was extended by the production of men’s leather shoes and light working boots. In 1967 injection moulded footwear was introduced in Wainuiomata, with the importation of a new type of machine; despite initial problems the process was to remain a very important part of Bata production. The well-known Bata Bullets were being promoted extensively by 1969. The first millionth pair was produced in 1957.  [photo of Bata Bullets perhaps?]

The 1960s were boom times for New Zealand manufacturing and Bata prospered. There were extensions to the Happy Valley Factory and an additional sewing line was inaugurated in January 1962.  Between 1965 to 1967, over 8 million pairs were produced each year. The types of footwear being produced by the mid-60s included rubber and plastic shoes and boots, gym shoes, tennis shoes and boots all with canvas uppers, infants’ and children’s shoes, slippers, sports footwear and general footwear. There was plenty of competition: there were 129 Footwear factories and approximately 5,500 people engaged in Footwear production across New Zealand. The Bata organisation consisted of:

• The main New Zealand plant at Happy Valley with over 200 workers 

• A production factory and a sewing line with 23 machinists in Wainuiomata 

• A sewing line at Carterton, established in 1973 with 30 on the day shift, 20 on the Twilight shift, and another sewing line and Masterton though possibly surviving only for a short time

• A sewing line in Whanganui with 24 members 

• A sewing line in Nelson, established in 1974, and expanded into a factory by the transfer of a Sim pack machine in May 1976 

• Six warehouses and Happy Valley, Auckland and Christchurch 

• Sales reps based in Auckland, Bay of Plenty (covering the Central North Island), Wellington and Christchurch

New Zealand footwear production has not survived the freeing up of import licenses and the worldwide trend to relocate factories in Asian countries. During the 1980s Bata operations shrank. In mid-1983 Happy Valley, Wainuiomata, Nelson, Carterton and Whanganui were still operational, but the sewing line at Happy Valley had closed earlier in the year and the Christchurch Warehouse was closed in December 1984. The Whanganui Sewing line closed in 1986, and it’s Secaro conveyor was taken to Carterton. An October 1986 Nelson was producing only High Tech’s Footwear, as a standalone Factory, while Wainuiomata was producing only PVC fully injected products as a standalone Factory brackets the sewing line had closed data known. 

Happy Valley was the assembly Factory for all leather production, and Carterton handled all cutting and sewing for the Happy Valley factory. In addition Happy Valley was again housing the central warehouse with the vacating of premises at Kaiwharawhara in October 1986; the warehouse had been moved out there in January 1981. By later in the 2980s, the company was moving its marketing emphasis from manufacturing to imports. In 1987 the Happy Valley factory and the Carterton sewing line were closed and operations were transferred to Wainuiomata, where gumboots were still made. 

The Happy Valley Factory stood empty for several years, it’s machines mostly sold off to overseas factories, and the frontage to Happy Valley Road, which once featured lawn and shrubs in the 1963 photos, was also sold; a large house stands [insert photo] here now. Other sections south and east of the factory were also sold. The factory was put up for sale, but economic conditions meant there was no buyer. WCC considered buying it and relocating a gang from Berhampore, much to the consternation of the locals. The idea did not go ahead. 

1992 saw the closure of the Wainuiomata factory, and gumboot production was transferred back to Happy Valley.  Today the factory hasfewer than 20 staff, but PVC gumboots are still produced here, and fit the factory is the distribution centre for the rest of New Zealand for imported Bata brands, as well as Rieker and Villanova Shoes. It is best known locally for its factory shop, which has excellent quality shoes available at bargain prices .

The factory and the good times provided work and transport for local people, and the managerial staff also lived locally. Their wages and salaries must have contributed much to the prosperity of the region. The factory was responsible for the immigration of a considerable number of skilled and sometimes widely travelled employees from many countries in varied backgrounds. International links  made ot possible for New Zealand-born workers to work overseas, or to travel for conferences and courses. The company had an international profile, and was visited by both foreign and New Zealand dignitaries, giving both workers and local people a global sense where New Zealand was far more insular than it is today.  

Many staff have had long associations with the company. Many have come from overseas they and many of the New Zealand staff have progressed over time. Details of some of them are kept in the Society Archives.

Bata was well known for its ongoing sponsorship of Guides, Scouts and other causes, including the Paraplegic Games team in October 1975, donations of Bata Bullets to the New Zealand table tennis team, donations to Telethon, the Worldwide Fund for Nature and, secondary school art competitions. Other sponsorship programs included the outfitting of the Ōwhiro Bay School netball teams and picnics at lolly scrambles for the local children.  The Happy Valley Factory encouraged visits from local school children, and went out of its way to keep on good terms with the community, allowing locals to use its premises for functions, such as church services. 

Today the site is no longer noisy or bustling but it is quietly productive, the factory shop is well known locally and well patronised, and the factory is still an important part of the Ōwhiro Bay scene. 

 Before the building of the Bata factory in 1951, Ōwhiro Bay was a sparsely populated area with some sheep and dairy farming. Records indicate that Bata Co NZ Ltd bought two pieces of land for 400 pounds and 1500 pounds from Agnes Dorman, and William Fullerton Dorman, a farmer of Happy Valley. At the same time the vendors sold two pieces of land for 800 pound and 1600 pound to Vincenc Valenta, company manager of Bengal India; his purchases were described as part of section 27, Ohiro District. A problem of cows invading gardens and eating flowers suggests fences at this time were lacking or inadequate. The first large expansion of the factory came in 1957 and on the 18th of May 1956 Bata leased a shed and access land from Vincenc Valenta. Bata fenced their property and made agreements with a few nearby residents to resolve any issues with the fences and the dumping of rubbish.

The factory still functions today, producing gumboots for New Zealand and overseas markets.

It is the only factory worldwide producing the largest sizes, which cater for the longer and wider feet many New Zealanders have. In the 1980s the average size gumboot was 8, and the range went up to 12. Now the average is 10 and the maximum size made is 15. Where possible, NZ product is used to make the boots, even if it costs more, but quality is guaranteed. 

A new injection-moulding machine was installed and commissioned by then Prime Minister John Key on 19 July 2012. This machine is less labour-intensive, and produces more than 150,000 gumboots a year, or 80 per hour, twice the capacity of the previous machine.