When the Sawmill Brewery caught fire in October last year, its owners Kirsty and Mike Sutherland feared the worst. The fire, which quickly spread to the brewery's roof and offices, could have spelled disaster for the company. But local volunteer fire services rushed to the scene to save what they could.
As other local businesses came to their aid to help with places to work and brew their beer, Mike and Kirsty wondered, was there something they and their staff could do whilst the building underwent repair to give something back?
First Up producer Ellie Jay travelled to the Sawmill Brewery in Matakana to find out how they were paying it forward.
Fire damage at the Sawmill Brewery, Matakana Photo: RNZ/ Ellie Jay
Fire damage at the Sawmill Brewery, Matakana Photo: RNZ/ Ellie Jay
Dane Vazey, Assistant brewer at the Sawmill Brewery Photo: RNZ/ Ellie Jay
Masashi Yoshida and Junior Parata, The Sawmill Brewery Photo: RNZ/ Ellie Jay
Tyler Leet, Sawmill Brewery Photo: RNZ/ Ellie Jay
