Kiwis braced for ‘Marmageddon’

New Zealanders have been warned to brace for “Marmageddon” after the maker of the country’s own variety of Marmite yesterday warned supplies were running out following the forced closure of its factory.

Sanitarium said its supplies ran out this week, four months after earthquakes forced it to close the only factory that made New Zealand’s version of the spread.

“Don’t freak. We will be back soon!” the company said on the Marmite website.

Prime minister John Key said: “I’m going to have to go thin, I’m afraid. I have a very small amount in my office and once that runs out I’m obviously aware that supplies are very short.”

At the risk of angering Marmite fans, Mr Key said he could also eat Vegemite, the rival spread that is made in Australia.

Both Marmite and Vegemite are made from yeast extract. Marmite was launched in Britain and at first was imported into New Zealand. But by 1919, New Zealand had come up with its own distinctive version.

Pierre van Heerden, Sanitarium’s general manager, said he hoped to resume production by July, when the factory will be repaired or production moved.

In the meantime, dozens of jars have been listed for sale on auction website Trade Me – including one seeking a minimum bid of NZ$3,500.