We’re absolutely thrilled to share a milestone that still feels a bit surreal to us: We Love Local has now returned $3 million to small businesses across Aotearoa!
When we first started packing gift boxes in our Waikanae garage back in 2018, the idea of supporting hundreds of artisan producers nationwide seemed like an impossible dream. Yet here we are, three years after celebrating our first million, having tripled that impact on New Zealand’s incredible food community.
The story behind the numbers
“There were times I questioned if we’d ever make it past our local Kāpiti market,” reflects Timo, thinking back to those early days of hand-delivering boxes in our electric car. What began as Valerie’s passion project after discovering the challenges small artisan producers faced at local markets to find a wider audience has grown into something that touches every corner of New Zealand.
The journey hasn’t always been smooth. We’ve learned the hard way about everything from sustainable packaging to nationwide logistics, made countless mistakes, and celebrated small victories along the way. But every challenge taught us something valuable about supporting the passionate makers who pour their hearts into creating exceptional products.
“Seeing the impact we’re having on real families and small businesses across the country—that’s what keeps us motivated,” says Valerie. “Behind every number is a story of someone following their passion and creating something beautiful.”
Supporting artisans from Northland to Southland
Today, we work with over 200 passionate producers spanning 17 regions of New Zealand. From Wellington favourites like Fix & Fogg and The Wellington Chocolate Factory to regional gems like Canterbury’s 27 Seconds Wine and Nelson’s Chia Sisters, each partnership tells a story of quality, craftsmanship, and local pride.
What makes us different is our commitment to working exclusively with local suppliers, typically those with fewer than 20 employees who represent 97% of New Zealand’s business landscape. We provide these talented artisans with nationwide market access they couldn’t achieve on their own, handling everything from photography to logistics so they can focus on what they do best: creating exceptional products.
Our regional gifts celebrate the unique character of each area, connecting gift recipients not just with delicious treats, but with the stories and people behind them. Every box becomes a journey through New Zealand’s diverse food landscape, showcasing the incredible talent found in communities from Auckland to Invercargill.
Our commitment to community extends beyond regional boundaries to embrace cultural celebration and support. Since 2022, we’ve proudly offered our Kai Māori Gift Box, specifically curated to support Māori-owned food and beverage businesses across Aotearoa. This collection celebrates the incredible mahi of indigenous producers creating world-class kai, and we’re thrilled to have returned over $60,000 directly to these businesses since launching the range. It’s our way of honouring New Zealand’s rich cultural heritage while supporting economic development within Māori communities.
Building sustainability and community into everything we do
This milestone represents more than financial success. It reflects our commitment to building a truly sustainable business model. Our partnership with The Shed Project in Paraparaumu, which provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities, has produced thousands of reusable wooden boxes that form the heart of our packaging.
We’re proud to operate Aotearoa’s first closed-loop gifting system, with hundreds wooden boxes returned and reused annually. Every aspect of our operation, from our 100% renewable energy use to our plastic-free packaging, demonstrates that business success and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Through our 1% donation programme and partnership with The Good Registry, we’ve also supported New Zealand charities like Kaibosh Food Rescue, DCM Wellington, and Sustainable Coastlines. It’s all part of our belief that businesses should give back to the communities that support them.
One partnership we’re particularly proud of is our ongoing sponsorship of the monthly Kindness Gift Hamper with Kapiti Kindness Trust. Since the Trust’s inception in 2020, we’ve helped recognise over 50 Kapiti Kindness Champions with gift hampers filled with local treats. These monthly awards celebrate community members who go above and beyond to support others, spreading kindness throughout our region. It’s a beautiful reminder that business success and community wellbeing go hand in hand.
Recognition and looking ahead
The recognition we’ve received (from winning the Electra Business Awards’ Sustainability category to becoming finalists for the Wellington Gold Awards) validates our approach of putting purpose alongside profit. But the real validation comes from the thousands of customers who choose to support local producers through our gift boxes.
As we celebrate returning $3 million to Kiwi small businesses, we’re already working on what comes next. Last year marked another significant milestone with our move into a purpose-built warehouse in Ōtaki, serving as our new nationwide distribution hub. For a small business like ours, this move means so much more than better logistics. It’s our way of staying committed to the vibrant Kāpiti community and reinvesting in the local economy that has supported us from day one.
Our vision extends beyond gift boxes to building New Zealand’s premier platform for celebrating and supporting local food culture. We’re exploring how We Love Local can become a hub for authentic New Zealand experiences, connecting people not just with incredible products but with the stories, makers, and communities behind them.
“This achievement belongs to our entire community,” reflects Timo. “The 200+ producers creating exceptional products, The Shed Project crafting our sustainable packaging, the charities we support, and most importantly, the thousands of customers who choose to love local. Together, we’re proving that supporting community businesses isn’t just good values—it’s building the future of sustainable commerce in Aotearoa.”
Ready to be part of our next million? Explore our range of regional gifts and discover the incredible artisan producers making magic happen across New Zealand. Every purchase directly supports small Kiwi businesses and helps strengthen our local communities.
Behind every gift box is a network of passionate producers, sustainable practices, and genuine care for our communities. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us.
