17 November 2025

Folks - that's a wrap! We've officially closed our doors, for the final time. Thank you to all the messages and outreach of support, this community rocks. As we reflect today, our biggest joy is knowing that what was once a showroom brimming with colourful pottery is now spread far and wide in homes and gardens across New Zealand.

Google Maps is already on to it - we’ve officially been removed from the map.

As we wrap up this chapter, here are a few FAQs and what’s coming up next…

Is the pottery still open?
No, the pottery is now officially closed. However, our communication lines remain open on Facebook messenger. If you want to stay in touch with us, send us a DM!

Independent operators Café Nectar and Katya Maker remain onsite - they are independently owned and operated and remain open.

I’m waiting on an outstanding order - what happens now?
If you have an order still to be collected or paid for, we will contact you directly to arrange payment and pickup options. Thanks for your patience.

Do you have any remaining stock available?
Yes - we do have a few leftover pieces. As we work through packing down the pottery, select items may be added to our website with nationwide shipping available. Any new listings will be announced on Facebook and through our email newsletter. We’re unable to offer product holds or pre-purchases, so the best approach is to keep an eye on our updates. We’ll share any available items as soon as they go live.

Will you be selling capital items or display equipment?
Possibly. We’re currently working through what may be available. Please note that our team will have first choice on any pottery equipment or display items before anything is offered publicly.

How can I stay updated?
We have a big job ahead packing down the pottery over the next few weeks. But as one door closes, another opens - or so they say. We’ll keep you updated on Facebook and through our email newsletter. Watch this space.

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7 November 2025

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.

3 November 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, items 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.

21 October 2025

A friendly reminder there will be no Labour Weekend Sale this year - however, our Showroom remains open 9am – 5pm daily throughout. We hope to see you!

The Closing Down Sale is coming soon: 1–16 November (everything must go!).

Orders
A reminder to customers who have been notified that their order is ready - please ensure payment is made by 23 October. Any unpaid orders after this date will be moved into the Showroom for sale, as all stock must be cleared before closure.

Final Factory Tour
Friday 24 October marks our last ever factory tour, so don’t miss your chance to see where it all began.

We will continue to post updates on our Facebook page and through our email newsletter. We’ll aim to keep you informed as we move towards closing our doors forever on the 16 November 2025.

In the meantime, we remain open 9am - 5pm daily. If you wish to confirm an item before you travel (or would like to enquire about shipping), please call us: 09 422 7116

26 September 2025

We now have a confirmed date for the closure of Morris & James. Our last day open to the public will be Sunday, 16 November 2025. While it feels bittersweet, we’re ready to mark the final chapter of our story with the community that has supported us for so many years.

There will be no Labour Weekend sale this year. Instead, we will host a Closing Down Sale from 1–16 November 2025, open daily from 9am to 5pm. During this time, we’ll offer discounts on our remaining stock, along with some of the display pieces and curiosities from the factory.

Some display items will remain on site, while others may be listed on Trade Me. You’ll be able to view these pieces in-store before bidding online. We’re still finalising which items will be included.

Our final firing will take place in the first week of November, and we’ll also confirm the date of our last throwing day soon. Both occasions will be commemorated with our team and shared on our social channels so you can join us in celebrating these historic moments.

Tours continue daily at 11:30am. We will announce the last day for tours when we know more. 

For those still holding Morris & James gift vouchers, the Closing Down Sale will be your last chance to redeem them. As stock is limited, we encourage you to come and see us as soon as possible, or give us a call.

After our doors close, we will spend the remainder of November packing down the factory and preparing to leave the site. During this period, we will share details of any capital equipment available for purchase, including kilns, factory machinery, and parts.

We will continue to post updates on our Facebook page and through our email newsletter. If you’re not already subscribed, you can sign up here: SUBSCRIBE.

We’ll aim to keep you informed as we move towards this final date.

22 July 2025

It is with deep gratitude and a touch of sadness that we announce the upcoming closure of Morris & James, after nearly 48 vibrant years of creativity, craftsmanship, and community. Founded in 1977 by visionary ceramicist Anthony Morris and architect Sue James, Morris & James has become an iconic part of the Matakana landscape, celebrated for its bold colour, handcrafted pottery, and the enduring artistry of New Zealand-made ceramics. 

Over the decades, a devoted team of artisans, designers, and craftspeople have continued to shape the Morris & James vision into a thriving pottery factory and showroom - a place where functional beauty and joyful design come to life. 

This decision has not come easily. After exploring a number of options (including selling the business) the management team have made the difficult and heartfelt decision to bring this chapter to a close. 

When visitors tour the Morris & James factory, they often express awe at the sheer scale and effort behind each piece: from mixing clay, to extruding forms, wheel throwing, spray glazing, and firing in our massive kilns. It’s a labour of love - one that takes years of skill and commitment.

The process has always been as beautiful as the finished product. Through the decades, we’ve weathered industry changes, economic shifts, and global events like COVID, but what has remained constant is you - our wonderful customers. Your enthusiasm, loyalty, and appreciation for colourful, locally crafted pieces has kept us inspired through every season. The joy our pottery has brought to gardens, homes, and hearts around New Zealand (and beyond) has been the highlight of our journey. 

What’s Next 

Over the next 3 to 4 months, we’ll be working through the remaining processed clay in the factory. Once all bisqueware is glazed and completed, we’ll begin the bittersweet process of winding down and dismantling our pottery operations. This limited production run will mark the final chapter of Morris & James. 

We encourage you to visit soon - to pick up a final piece of New Zealand’s pottery history, redeem any outstanding gift vouchers, and help us celebrate nearly five decades of creative life. 

Stay Connected 

We’ll be sharing updates, final releases, and behind-the-scenes stories on our Facebook page, so please follow along as we commemorate this special moment in time. 

Above all, we thank you.

Thank you for every visit, every story shared, every piece purchased with love. Morris & James has always been more than just pottery - it’s been a shared celebration of colour, beauty, and joy. We look forward to seeing you in these final months and saying goodbye in person. 

With heartfelt appreciation, 

The Morris & James Team