Mary Innes

Mary Jane Innes was born in Wales but immigrated to New Zealand in 1870. After marrying husband Charles, the couple worked together in a brewery. Charles was the brewer and Mary Jane was the business manager. After Charles Innes was declared bankrupt in 1888, Mary Jane took over the management of the Te Awamutu Brewery. A year later she took over Waikato Brewery as well.

As a female living in the late 19th century, Mary Jane was never publicly acknowledged as the business owner. But she went on to create a soda and bottling factory, and her forward thinking laid the foundations for Waikato Breweries and also for soft drink giant Oasis Industries now New Zealand's largest bottling company.

Mary Innes

Inducted: 2013
Industry: Brewing

DOD: 1941