PJ's Pies is a small-town bakery in Hanmer Springs, blending North Canterbury's premium local ingredients with Swiss heritage to create handcrafted, gourmet pies. The pie shop sits in a prime spot across from the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, serving locals and visitors with crisp, golden pastry pies baked fresh on site.
PJ's Pies was established in 2017 by Jim and Kate, trained Swiss chefs who moved to New Zealand from Switzerland over 20 years ago and settled in Hanmer Springs. Their background in fine dining and busy Swiss ski resorts shapes the artisan approach behind every pie, blending Swiss craft with distinctly Kiwi and Canterbury flavours.
Beyond the Hanmer Springs pie shop, PJ's Pies are also available chilled at supermarkets and convenience stores across the South Island. The business also offers catering for school camps, groups and events, and is closely involved in the Hanmer Springs community through support of local school and community group fundraisers, including fuelling school groups at the Hanmer Springs Forest Camp.
Across the road from the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools sits PJ's Pies, a small-town bakery turning out handcrafted pies that blend North Canterbury's premium ingredients with genuine Swiss heritage. It's a combination that's earned the business its tagline: not so humble pies.
PJ's Pies was founded in 2017 by Jim and Kate, a husband-and-wife team of trained Swiss chefs who moved to New Zealand from Switzerland more than 20 years ago and settled in the alpine village of Hanmer Springs. Their background includes fine dining experience in busy Swiss ski resorts, and that pedigree shows in the care taken with every pie that comes out of the bakery — crisp, golden pastry packed with local flavour.
PJ's Pies moves well beyond the standard mince-and-cheese pie, though that classic combination is on the menu too. The range includes Angus beef pies in several forms — Angus Mince, Angus Steak, Angus Pepper Steak, Angus Steak & Blue Cheese, and Angus Steak & Shiitake Mushroom, alongside a Smokey BBQ Beef Brisket pie. Chicken lovers can go for the Farmhouse Chicken & Bacon or the more adventurous Chicken, Cranberry & Brie, while pork options include Pork Belly & Apple and a BBQ Pork Sausage Roll. A Lamb Rendang pie rounds out the range with a distinctly spiced, fusion twist. Most of the beef, chicken and pork pies are also available in a larger family size, ideal for sharing.
PJ's Pies regularly spotlights a featured pie, with the Angus Mince & Cheese Family Pie currently taking the honour — coarsely ground Canterbury Angus beef in a rich gravy, topped with tasty melted cheese. It's a straightforward showcase of the local, quality ingredients that run through the whole range.
Beyond the Hanmer Springs storefront, PJ's Pies has built a wider South Island presence, with pies sold chilled at supermarkets and convenience stores across the region. This means fans of the brand don't need to be in Hanmer Springs to pick up a pie, though the bakery's home shop remains the place to get them fresh.
PJ's Pies also runs a catering arm, supplying school camps, groups and events around Hanmer Springs. The business has become a fixture at the Hanmer Springs Forest Camp, fuelling school groups with pies as part of its catering service, and takes an active role in the local community more broadly by supporting school and community group fundraisers and events.
With its prime position across from the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, PJ's Pies has become a natural stop for both locals and the steady flow of visitors who come through the alpine village. Whether it's a post-soak snack or a pie to fuel a day of exploring, the bakery has positioned itself as an essential part of the Hanmer Springs experience.
PJ's Pies is open weekdays from 9am to 3pm and weekends from 8am to 3pm, located at 2 Conical Hill Road, Hanmer Springs. The team can be reached on 0800 757 743 or via email at mail@pjspies.co.nz for enquiries about pies, stockists or catering.