Sunday market flourishes at Hobsonville Pt

A fresh addition to the community market scene is quickly pulling a crowd. Joanna Davies reports.
Only a handful of houses are under construction at Hobsonville Pt, but that hasn't stopped thousands of people attending the new farmers' market.
After 8000 people visited the first market last Sunday organiser Keith Stewart is optimistic it will become one of the most popular in the region.
"We sold out of bread in the first hour," Mr Stewart says.
"It's not going to be a collection of random people selling things each week, we've got a good supplier for meat and a great fish supplier.
"Most of the vege prices are lower that the supermarkets, and the produce will be fresher."
After four months of planning, Mr Stewart says the weekly event will fill a gap in an area where farmers' markets are quite far away.
"We see outselves as serving Hobsonville and Massey, and for a lot of those people can be quicker to drive to the Parnell markets than the one in Oratia. We do see ourselves as very local."
On average there will be 40 stallholders each week, with fresh produce, meat, and fish.
"This can be a serious place for shopping and a real alternative from the supermarket."
Initially the market will run every Sunday, near the Catalina Cafe on Buckley Ave in Hobsonville Pt.
"I'd really like to see it open five days a week, but we are going to start off a bit smaller," says Mr Stewart.
Point of sale

Hobsonville Pt Farmers Market is on every Sunday from 9am-1pm. contact Keith Stewart on 412 7002 for more information.