The Figgery Cafe & Shop is the cafe and retail arm of Te Mata Figs, a family owned fig grower based near Havelock North in Hawke's Bay. Established in 2007 from a passion to grow figs in the region's warm, Mediterranean-style climate, Te Mata Figs now grows around 30 varieties of fresh figs and produces a wide range of fig-based products at The Figgery.
The Figgery Cafe & Shop opened in July 2020 to showcase the versatility of figs in everyday food, giving visitors a chance to taste the range in a cafe setting alongside shopping for products to take home. Food safety, quality and sustainability sit at the heart of the operation — Te Mata Figs operates under a New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) approved Food Control Plan covering its growing, manufacturing and sale of fig products, with external audits carried out by MPI accredited auditors.
Sustainability runs through every part of the business: figs are grown without fertiliser, sprays or irrigation, with grass swards used to encourage soil health and weed matting to reduce weeds. Products are made without artificial preservatives or additives, and packaging uses recyclable cardboard for fresh figs and glass, paper and cellophane wherever possible for fig products. Beyond the cafe and shop, Te Mata Figs also sells at the Hastings Farmers Market on Sunday mornings and through providores nationwide.
The Figgery Cafe & Shop sits at the heart of Te Mata Figs, a family owned fig grower that has been cultivating figs near Havelock North since 2007. What began as a passion to grow amazing figs in Hawke's Bay's warm, Mediterranean-style climate has grown into a business producing award-winning fig products, with around 30 varieties of fresh figs grown on site.
The Figgery Cafe & Shop opened in July 2020 with a clear purpose: to demonstrate the versatility of figs in everyday food. Rather than treating figs as a rare seasonal treat, the cafe weaves them into a genuine dining experience, while the attached shop lets visitors take home the range of products made on site. Signature items include the Salame di Fichi, available in Fig & Almond and Fig & Walnut varieties, a Caramelised Fig Balsamic condiment perfect for pairing with cheese, and a Fig Bar made with almond, chia and flax seed for a wholesome snack option.
Sustainability is woven into how Te Mata Figs grows its fruit. The figs are grown without any fertiliser, sprays or irrigation, with grass swards used to encourage soil health and weed matting used to reduce weeds naturally. This low-intervention approach reflects a broader commitment across the business — products are manufactured without artificial preservatives or additives, and packaging favours recyclable cardboard for fresh figs, along with glass, paper and cellophane for the wider fig product range wherever possible.
Te Mata Figs operates under a Food Control Plan approved by New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), covering the growing, manufacturing and sale of its fig products. External audits are carried out by MPI accredited auditors, giving customers confidence in the standards behind every product that leaves The Figgery.
While The Figgery Cafe & Shop is the heart of the operation, Te Mata Figs products reach customers well beyond Havelock North. The business sells at the Hastings Farmers Market on Sunday mornings and supplies its range to providores nationwide, meaning fans of the brand can often find a taste of The Figgery closer to home. Fresh figs themselves are only available in season — late summer and autumn, with a small breba crop ripening around Christmas weather permitting — making a visit during peak season especially worthwhile.
Te Mata Figs remains family owned and operated, a detail the business is proud to highlight. That family character comes through in the cafe's welcome and the shop's carefully curated range, from Favourites and Jams & Spreads through to a dedicated "For Cheese Lovers" collection and gift-ready options.
The Figgery Cafe & Shop is located at 205 Napier Road, Havelock North, and is open every day except public holidays — Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30pm. Bookings and enquiries can be made by phone or through the website's contact form.