A Christchurch-based coffee company that played a key role in the city’s post-earthquake recovery has launched a limited-edition coffee pack to honour the contributions of local artists to the city’s regeneration efforts. Hummingbird Coffee, established in 1990, was a prominent feature of the Re:START mall, a container-based shopping area created to support urban revitalisation after the February 22, 2011, earthquake.

The new packaging showcases Signal-1, a public artwork by multidisciplinary artist Nathan Ingram, originally painted on a basketball court in Christchurch’s central city. The court, located on St Asaph Street, was part of a vibrant art installation unveiled in 2023, which also included a mural by artist Nick Lowry and large spray can sculptures. This site was developed through collaboration among the Urban Arts Trust Watch This Space, Christchurch City Council’s Enliven Places programme, and the landowners Environment Canterbury (ECan).

ECan, which did not charge rent for the art installation, recently sold the land for $3.4 million, more than double its 2018 purchase price. The coffee release forms part of Hummingbird's "It’s Giving Art" campaign, which expands on a partnership announced earlier this year with The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi.

Nick Cowper, general manager of Hummingbird Coffee, reflected on the company’s connection to the Re:START mall, describing it as an integral chapter in their history. “Fifteen years on, It’s Giving Art is about giving it a new expression while continuing to back artists and the creativity they bring to our communities,” he said.

Hummingbird has a longstanding relationship with the creative sector in Christchurch. In the aftermath of the earthquakes, the company donated 30 cents from every 200-gram pack of Re:START-branded coffee sold to support The Court Theatre’s rebuilding efforts. This initiative raised $100,000 for the theatre over two years.

Ingram, now 46, has remained closely connected to the St Asaph Street basketball court where his artwork is featured, often visiting and playing basketball there with his son. He expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration he had with Hummingbird regarding the use of his artwork, noting his involvement in approving each application. “I was quite surprised by how involved I’ve been in signing off on every single usage,” he said.

Before the 2011 earthquake, Ingram focused on clothing design and had recently signed a lease for a studio on Lichfield Street, which was destroyed in the quake. That experience, combined with exposure to Melbourne’s urban art scene, led him to shift towards street and public art.

Currently working with Watch This Space and Christchurch City Council on a project for the New Brighton mall upgrade, Ingram praised Hummingbird’s respect for artists’ work and their ongoing support for the arts in New Zealand. The company is involved with The Arts Foundation’s Springboard Award, which currently supports Christchurch textile artist Steven Junil Park, among other initiatives.

The limited-edition Re:START coffee pack is now available for purchase.