Wellington's Zany Zeus cheese and ice cream maker in receivership

It was once a favouritie of A-lister Scarlett Johansson.
It was once a favouritie of A-lister Scarlett Johansson. Photo credit: Getty

A boutique cheese and ice cream maker which once boasted Hollywood A-lister Scarlett Johansson as a regular customer, has gone into receivership.

Zany Zeus in Lower Hutt produces organic, hand-crafted cheeses, ice creams and milk products.

It employs approximately 29 staff at its factory and adjoining café.

John Fisk and Richard Nacey, of PwC, were appointed receivers of Zany Zeus Limited and associated companies after a request from the Director of the Companies. 

Richard Nacey said the move followed time and cost overruns incurred during the expansion into a new factory, which resulted in the company being placed under ongoing cash flow pressure. 

"While it is still early in the process, we are of the view that there is a good underlying core business with significant customer support and a great brand," he said.  

"We are continuing to trade on a business as usual basis while we look to determine the most appropriate way forward to maximise recoveries for creditors."

In 2017 when Johansson was filming a movie in Wellington, she told E! News that despite eating healthy food most of the time, she had one guilty pleasure.

"There was this incredible place in Wellington called Zany Zeus that had the best piece of chocolate cake I've had in my entire life.

"So, it was worth the like 35-minute drive to get there I was like, I was on a mission."

"Give me that chocolate cake", she said.

 Receivers were yet to establish the full extent of creditor claims against the company.