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Home / Bay of Plenty Times

Rotorua PieBot: Maketū Pies launches first hot pie vending machine

Rotorua Daily Post
17 Dec, 2025 12:29 AM2 mins to read

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The PieBot is the first hot pie vending machines to be installed in Rotorua, and offers all 10 Maketū Pies flavours.

Rotorua has its first hot pie vending machine.

Visitors to the Redwoods in the Whakarewarewa Forest will be able to experience a Bay of Plenty icon this summer with the unveiling of the city’s first PieBot, containing New Zealand’s famous Maketū Pies, a statement on behalf of Maketū Pies said today.

The PieBot is the first hot pie vending machines to be installed in Rotorua and offers all 10 Maketū Pies flavours.

Donned with the slogan “No kai like a Maketū Pie”, the unmissable big red box is outside the I-site and beside the Redwoods Treewalk.

“The PieBot is an ingenious design that has everything Kiwis love – convenience, speed and, of course, hot pies,” Maketū Pies general manager Craig Williams said.

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Created by WM Robotics, the PieBot is equipped with a large pie warmer, touch screen and an Eftpos machine.

“You simply tap your payment card to unlock the doors, select from the Maketū Pie products on offer and your card is automatically charged for the selected products. It’s absolute genius,” Williams said.

He said it was a “no-brainer” to bring the PieBot to Rotorua, given the business’ special relationships with the city and Te Arawa.

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”We’re committing to supporting the city wherever we can,” Williams said.

Maketū Pies general manager Craig Williams with its new big red box, the hot pie vending machine at the Rotorua Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest.
Maketū Pies general manager Craig Williams with its new big red box, the hot pie vending machine at the Rotorua Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest.

RotoruaNZ head of visitor and customer experience Graham Brownrigg said the self-service option at the forest gate was perfect for visitors and locals.

“Good adventures are even better when they’re fuelled by a great pie – and everyone loves a Maketū Pie.

“We love the innovation shown by the Auckland University engineering graduates behind this technology.”

In November last year, Maketū Foods Ltd was placed into voluntary solvent liquidation by its previous owner, Te Arawa Management Ltd, which had bought the struggling business during a 2019 receivership process.

It was taken over by catering business Montana Group two weeks into the 2024 liquidation process.

Williams said he was proud of the revival of the iconic Kiwi brand.

“We’ve spent months breathing new life back into Maketū Pies and bringing back the high-quality pies Kiwis have always known and loved.”

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