When Sam Amundsen and her partner, Justin, were looking for a permanent base for their growing catering and hospitality business, they chose Hautapu over Cambridge’s town centre.

The Bale by Country Co opened on Parakiwai Road in June 2025, building on a business journey that started with a kitchen trailer on a dairy farm. It now employs up to 12 staff, runs a café and catering service, and is planning its next stage of growth.

Why Hautapu?

The decision to set up in Hautapu was deliberate. Early advice from the Chamber of Commerce highlighted the industrial precinct as an area that could benefit from more hospitality options.

“We saw the growth potential in Hautapu, with more development expected over the coming years,” Sam says. “We liked the idea of being a destination café, rather than relying only on passing foot traffic.”

That approach is working. The café has built a loyal customer base among nearby businesses and workers, with regulars stopping in for coffee, team lunches and after-work catch-ups. Many also return on weekends with family and friends.

A community, not just a customer base

Since opening in Hautapu, Sam says one of the highlights has been the sense of community that has developed around the café.

“We know so many names and orders now, and people keep turning up for us,” Sam says. “The community that has formed out here has been great.”

The team also looks for ways to give back to the community. For example, they donate free coffee vouchers for people who give blood at the Cambridge Blood Drive, held every three months.

Growing with Hautapu

As more businesses establish in Hautapu, Sam sees opportunity. More workers in the precinct mean a larger daily customer base, more catering clients, and scope to broaden the menu and services.

They are preparing for the next phase by trialling a weekly delivery service of coffee, food and meal specials to nearby businesses.

“The more people we see each day, the more we can make, and the more variety we can offer,” Sam says. “It’s a win-win.”

Council planning context for Hautapu

Council’s long-term planning includes a vision for the ongoing development of the Hautapu industrial area, with an emphasis on supporting light to medium industry.

The intent is to enable industry such as dairy and equine-related businesses, while avoiding the impacts typically associated with heavy industry, so development remains consistent with Cambridge’s character.

Over time, this planned growth is expected to bring more activity into the area, supporting services that meet the day-to-day needs of local workers and businesses.

For Sam and Justin, Hautapu is more than a location — it is part of what makes the business work.

The Bale by Country Co is located at 7 Parakiwai Road, Hautapu.