Our story
Over 100 years of printing.
We’ve been printing in Whanganui since 1923. A lot has changed in that time, but one thing that hasn’t is our connection to the people we work with. From books and birthday invites to menus, posters, and product labels, we’ve been part of thousands of local stories. Even if you didn’t realise it, there’s a good chance you’ve already held something we’ve printed.
H&A began as a small-town print shop and has grown into a century-old business. We’re still hands-on and still based right here in town. Most of us have been here for decades, and we take real pride in the work we send out into the world.
We print fast, with most jobs ready within 24 hours, but we never compromise on quality. Every file is checked by someone on our team before it’s printed. No bots, no guesswork, just real people who care about the final product. Printing for a birthday, a business launch, or anything in between? We’ll help you get it over the line and make sure it turns out the way you imagined.
H&A has stayed in local hands for more than a century, with each new owner helping to shape the business for the next generation. Today it’s co-owned by Hinemoa Boyd and Eric Hallett, supported by a close-knit team who’ve been here for years. The tools may have changed, but the care behind every job remains the same.
Our history
Our story began above a chemist in 1923. Since then, H&A Print has grown, evolved, and modernised, but our roots in Whanganui and our love for putting ink on paper have stayed the same.
It all started above a chemist. Hanton & Andersen Print was founded by William Hanton and Thomas Andersen, two foremen printers from the local newspapers. They set up shop above the UFS Dispensary with manual presses and hand-set type.
William’s son Sid Hanton joined the business after World War II, bringing fresh energy to the growing print shop.
Bringing in the new offset printer.
The shop moved into a new premises at 4 Indus Street. Offset printing was introduced — a game- changer for speed and quality. John Shingleton joined Ed and Kelvin as a third partner.
H&A building before demolision.
As colour printing took off, H&A expanded again—bringing in a Heidelberg GTO press and securing larger contracts. The original building was demolished, a fresh logo was introduced, and a new era began. Around the same time, Macintosh computers were introduced, replacing traditional typography blocks and marking the business’s transition into digital production.
Partners Ed, John & Kelvin at their 20th Anniversary.
H&A moved to a new location at 76 Wilson Street and marked 20 years with partners Ed, John, and Kelvin. During this time, the team launched Aztec Promotions, selling NZ-made photo frames across Aotearoa and Australia. H&A became known for its versatility—handling everything from business cards to boutique packaging.
A further move to a purpose-built premises at 7 Purnell Street brought upgraded tech and, for the first time, the whole team working on the same level—a total game changer.
H&A celebrated 100 years in business! A century of print, people, and progression.
Printing with purpose
We’ve been printing with the environment in mind for more than 15 years. Long before sustainability became a trend, we were already changing how we worked — switching to soy-based inks, reducing waste, and tweaking our processes to leave less behind.
We recycle nearly everything we use and work only with suppliers who have a plan for their materials at the end of their life. We’ve even modified our own platemaking machines and swapped plastic packaging for recyclable paper wraps where we can.
We don’t advertise it much, because for us it’s just part of doing things properly. If you choose to print with us, you can be confident your job is handled with care, both for quality and for the planet.
Supporting the community
that supports us
We’ve always believed in doing our bit for Whanganui. Over the years, that’s meant quietly backing events, fundraisers, and local initiatives that help keep the town moving.
From sports clubs to art festivals, we’ve supported events like the Cemetery Circuit, Artists Open Studios, and the Masters Games — helping bring people together and keep Whanganui buzzing.
If you’ve got something coming up and need a hand, get in touch. We take on a few sponsorships each year and are happy to see what’s possible.