For the second year running the Sheffield and Birmingham St precinct of food producers has delivered a successful neighbourhood Block Party event. This fun day out happened across multiple venues in the area including music, brews and bites.

Hosted on Saturday 1 March, hundreds came out to experience the foodie fun across Dark Horse HQ and Sheffield Street Espresso Garden, The Roastery, Montfoort, Monsta Truck Tattoo, Kaibosh Food Rescue, Duncan’s Brewery and The Bond Store.

Visitors to the Block Party could experience the journey of Coffee from bean to cup as with a Laneway visit to Dark Horse HQ or pop in at The Roastery on Sheffield St. Foodie delights that popped up at The Roastery included PureBread, Goldies Whole Foods and That Little Cake Shop.  While Montfoort provided treats with fresh hot Poffertjes, Stroopwafels and Oliebollen with a side of balloon twisting fun for the kids.

Duncan’s Brewery were serving up 10 beers on tap with Food Truck partners Cherrywood Food Truck and Smoked and Pickled.  Attendees could chill in the outdoor seating area with various muso's delivering an afternoon of brews, tasty kai and ace tunes.

Kaibosh Food Rescue hosted a family friendly fun-zone and a snazzy sausage sizzle with support from Waikanae Butchery and PureBread. The awesome Smoothie Bikes were back in action, where visitors could use leg power to create their own upcycled fresh fruit smoothie.

The Bond Store transformed the distillery site into an immersive place of market stalls showcasing the region’s finest producers and creative artisans, and Food Trucks including Thai St Eats and Lalie's Latin food. Serving up expertly crafted cocktails in the vibrant garden bar with an incredible music line up curated by Mostly Music. Guests also got to feel the rush as Capital Pro Wrestling delivered excitement with electrifying demonstrations. 

Economic Development Kotahitanga Board chair Neil MacKay says The Block Party was a fitting example of how the cluster approach can deliver shared economic benefits for local business and the community.

“I attended the Block Party and the atmosphere was excellent. To see more than 20 businesses involved in delivering a quality event that showcased the depth of local artisan producers was great. Business feedback has been extremely positive with them meeting event objectives which included sales and brand exposure.” 

The businesses also partnered with the wider neighbourhood and highlights included the Paraparaumu Fire Brigade popping up and The Kāpiti Paint Benders graffiti artists creating vibrant art in the Sheffield St laneway.

The Food and Beverage cluster are also working on collaborative events to be delivered for Wellington on a Plate 2025 with the Kāpiti Tasting Safari across four venues in planning for August 2025.