Morris & James Matakana

07/11/2025

9 days left! Here's what to expect in our final days....

The countdown is well and truly on, and with just days left before we close, we have a few important updates on how things will work from here.

Since announcing our closure back in July, we've been working tirelessly to honour orders, wishlists, and (more recently) phone orders. However, as we reach the final stretch, our team is now much smaller, and the volume of phone calls has become impossible to keep up with. We feel the love, but we can no longer take phone call enquiries or phone purchases from today onward.

To keep things fair for all customers and manageable for us, here’s how purchasing will work:

✅ 7 - 8 kiln loads are coming
We are working overtime to bring through up to eight kiln loads in the coming days.

✅ Daily stock releases
Each morning, between 9am and 11am, we will release a fresh kiln load into the showroom. This allows time to unload the kiln from the night before, grade the pottery, and move it into place. We will continue this daily until Saturday 15th November.

✅ Second-grade + curiosities
Every morning we’ll also bring out second-grade pots and any curiosities discovered as we wind down factory operations behind the scenes. Tiles are still available, though numbers are getting small - $3 each while stock lasts.

✅ Sunday 16th November (our last day!)
On our final day, we will have a strong selection of terracotta available, along with any remaining works. This will mark the last day in the pottery’s chapter.

📦 If you placed an order in July/August:
We haven’t managed to contact everyone about orders that are ready yet. If that's you - please hold tight - we will call you before we close to organise payment and pick-up/delivery.

A special shout out to our General Manager, Kieran Rice, who has led this process with kindness, patience, and a staggering number of hours behind the scenes. Our remaining team continues to work incredibly hard because we care about this pottery, and about you.

9 days to go! We're open 9am - 5pm until the day we close our doors for good, at 5pm on 16 November 2025. After that, we’ll begin preparing to leave the site, including finalising and dismantling the factory. Once this process begins, we’ll announce any capital equipment available for sale.

Stay tuned for updates as we move through these final steps...

05/11/2025

Wednesday 5 November, 1.16pm
The tiles have been flying out the door, but we still have plenty available - including many unique pieces perfect as memorabilia or a special decorative touch for your next renovation.

They're $3 each :)
-
Note: We’re doing our best to keep everyone updated, however stock is moving extremely quickly in our showroom. Stock is now very limited. Our phone is monitored between showroom queues. We encourage phone calls and will assist as best we can.

📞 09 422 7116

Due to high volume, we can't always get to our email or Facebook messages to assist with sales. We know it’s now quite difficult to purchase pottery from afar - we’re well and truly at the pointy end since announcing our closure back in July. Morris & James closes for good at 5pm on 16 November.

05/11/2025

Wednesday 5 November, 1.05pm:
XXL Terracotta available. We have good stock of these large terracotta planters which will make wonderful statement pieces. Like all our pots, they’re made from Morris & James clay harvested and processed right here from our very own clay pit - but without a glaze. Naked, bold, and beautiful! You can fully admire the exposed terracotta.

If you're interested to see how our clay was harvested and processed, check out:
https://www.morrisandjames.co.nz/blogs/news/about-our-clay-harvest-process

Unfortunately, we'll be leaving the clay pit behind once we leave the site. Morris & James pottery is connected with the earth here in Matakana - it's quite literally a slice of NZ. We think that makes the pottery even more special.
-
Note: We’re doing our best to keep everyone updated, however stock is moving extremely quickly in our showroom. Stock is now very limited. Our phone is monitored between showroom queues. We encourage phone calls and will assist as best we can.

📞 09 422 7116

Due to high volume, we can't always get to our email or Facebook messages to assist with sales. We know it’s now quite difficult to purchase pottery from afar - we’re well and truly at the pointy end since announcing our closure back in July. Morris & James closes for good at 5pm on 16 November.

05/11/2025

Wednesday 5 November, 1.03pm:
Latest kiln load of pots hits the floor - many have already been snapped up, but this is what's available right now.
-
Note: We’re doing our best to keep everyone updated, however stock is moving extremely quickly in our showroom. Stock is now very limited. Our phone is monitored between showroom queues. We encourage phone calls and will assist as best we can.

📞 09 422 7116

Due to high volume, we can't always get to our email or Facebook messages to assist with sales. We know it’s now quite difficult to purchase pottery from afar - we’re well and truly at the pointy end since announcing our closure back in July. Morris & James closes for good at 5pm on 16 November.

05/11/2025

Available on Wednesday 5th November at 12.55pm:
Small Seagull Follies - $71 each. Roughly 28cm tall.
-
Note: We’re doing our best to keep everyone updated, however stock is moving extremely quickly in our showroom. Stock is now very limited. Our phone is monitored between showroom queues. We encourage phone calls and will assist as best we can.

📞 09 422 7116

Due to high volume, we can't always get to our email or Facebook messages to assist with sales. We know it’s now quite difficult to purchase pottery from afar - we’re well and truly at the pointy end since announcing our closure back in July. Morris & James closes for good at 5pm on 16 November.

04/11/2025

For a very large piece of Morris & James history, we're putting up our prototype wine amphora for sale this week - made by Ian Foote in collaboration with Heron’s Flight Winery back in August 2015.

This was an experimental 500L winemaking vessel and after creating this one, we moved to smaller 100L versions that were successfully used at Heron’s Flight. Let’s just say this big beauty didn’t come without its challenges!

About this prototype (for sale):

• Built entirely by hand using layered, extruded clay strips
• Our first successful attempt at making a handmade wine amphora
• Holds approx. 500L
• Created in collaboration with Heron’s Flight winemaker at the time, Stefano Guidi

Amphora wine making methods date back to 6000 BC. Because terracotta is naturally porous, the vessel allows a tiny amount of air into the wine as it ferments, encouraging natural flavours, soft tannins, and reduced sulphites.

Priced at $1,800

Junction Mag - Matakana + Beyond

02/11/2025

It's Morris & James Mania 🔥🔥🔥 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who travelled near and far to support the launch of our Closing Down Sale over the weekend. The turnout was overwhelming.

To those who weren’t able to secure the pieces they were hoping for, we sincerely apologise. By 10:30am on Saturday, the showroom was already looking much lighter. This is a tricky time for us to predict stock levels. While we continue producing in the background, our final firing takes place on 10 November, and once items cool from the kiln, they are disappearing quickly as they hit the showroom floor.

We’d also like to acknowledge those who have tried calling multiple times and haven’t been able to get through. Since announcing our closure in July, it has been non-stop. Now that we’re at the pointy end, our small team is stretched between showroom queues, wrapping, and the phones. We promise we’re not ignoring you. We simply can’t always get to the phone. Our voicemail inbox is beyond full, so we encourage you to keep trying. We’ll do our best.

If you’re travelling this week, please keep in mind:

• Some items sell within minutes of going out
• Most of the pieces posted on Friday night sold out early Saturday
• We still have plenty of tiles, memorabilia, and factory curiosities
• Giftware including candles and kiwiana is also discounted
• Platter and plate stands/ wall hangers are available in-store and online, with nationwide shipping

Despite the rush, the weekend delivered many special moments. Opening the doors to see crowds lined up was deeply emotional and unexpected. We heard stories of childhood trips, special occasion visits, and pots that have lived in homes for decades. We feel every bit of it.

This closure hurts. We know it... you know it... and we’re sharing those emotions right alongside you.

A special mention for our friends at Café Nectar and Katya Maker (both independently owned and operated) who will remain on-site and continue to operate after we leave.

Our Closing Down Sale ends at 5pm on 16th November, which is when we close the showroom doors for good. After this time we'll start breaking down the factory and prepare to leave the site, and advertise any capital equipment for sale.

Lastly… let’s keep in mind that we’ve always been slow. Handmade slow. In a world that shifted toward cheaper imports, automation, and now AI, we went the other way. Speed and efficiency was never in our DNA. We chose craft. We chose people. We chose time. We didn’t sell out to an offshore investor - we stayed true to the artisanal process. That slowness runs deeper than the making. Even in our showroom, choosing a piece has always been something you feel - with your heart, and a moment of consideration. It was never supposed to be a rushed transaction, but part of the joy.

We’ll continue posting updates. Watch this space...

01/11/2025

Some Q&A to sum up the last 24 hours here at Morris & James. We love this community and how you support each other - even when we're too busy to get to everyone!

We also appreciate you're all desperate to get one last piece before we close.

We currently have plenty of tiles and smaller items available to purchase.

Follow our page for the latest stock updates - more pots coming out of the kilns soon. Out last firing is scheduled for 10th November.

We remain open 9am-5pm daily. We're closing down, so the showroom isn't what it once was.

Cafe Nectar is independently owned and operated, and will remain open after we close our doors.

01/11/2025

Top tip for pricing!

We know it can be frustrating spotting something you love on Facebook and wanting the price straight away. With so many items coming and going (and a very busy start to the Closing Down Sale), we can’t always list every price on each photo or comment, but we are trying our hardest to keep you updated as much as possible. The phone has also been ringing off the hook.

👉 Quick solution: Many of our item prices are available on our website.

Just head to the site, pop the item name into the search bar. Or, if you don't know the name, you can browse through the categories to get a good idea before calling or visiting us in-store.

We also have in-store specials running right now, but checking the site is a great place to start if you’re just trying to get an idea of prices while on the go.

Morris and James Pottery and Sculptural Ceramics is the home of individually handcrafted and glazed terracotta.

01/11/2025

The boys are even working overtime on the weekends to bring you more before we close after 16th Novemer!

01/11/2025

The summer room is nearly empty!

Our last kiln firing is planned for 10th November.

We have one kiln load underway currently, with more stock arriving in showroom soon.

31/10/2025

For those of you who love a bit of Morris & James history... we’ve just managed to put out some of our terracotta signage for sale.

These pieces have been with us for many years and have greeted countless customers in our outdoor second area - a little slice of nostalgia for anyone who wants a keepsake.

They’re priced at $15–$20 each.

Also pictured, Poppy dominoes and plaque, and seagull follies in the background.