A behind-the-scenes look at what it actually costs to send a gift that supports local. We open the books on where your money goes when you buy a We Love Local gift box.
Timo Reitnauer
Yum Granola: From a Lake Hāwea Kitchen to Nelson’s Finest Breakfast
Meet Sarah Hedger and Mike Cowlin, the chef and marine biologist behind Yum Granola. What started in a Lake Hāwea community hall kitchen, with the first batch delivered by mountain bike, has grown into a Nelson-based breakfast brand with Gold at the 2025 NZ Artisan Awards and a Climate Positive certification. You’ll find their Pancake & Waffle Mix in our Gluten-Free, Breakfast Bliss and Healthy Habits gift boxes.
Where to Find Food Festivals and Markets Across New Zealand
Looking for food festivals happening near you in NZ? We track upcoming events across 16 regions so you can plan your next weekend around something worth eating.
Meet Due North Foods: Bold Flavours from Aotearoa’s Far North
Cable Bay sits tucked into Doubtless Bay, about as far north as you can go in New Zealand. This is where Due North Foods handcrafts every one of its sauces, jams, and chutneys. From Karikari Peninsula olives to wild Northland blackberries, every jar connects to the land around it.
Preservation Jam: From Bay of Plenty to Kāpiti, Rescuing Produce One Jar at a Time
Meet Samantha Burgess, founder of Preservation Jam. What started as a mission to rescue excess produce in the Bay of Plenty has found a new home on the Kāpiti Coast. Sam crafts all-natural, small-batch preserves and jams from local seasonal fruits that would otherwise go to waste. You’ll find her creations in our Kāpiti Goodies Gift Box.
A Simpler Way For Businesses To Order Personalised Gifts
If you’ve ever sent gift boxes to a long list of recipients through us, you’ll know we already have a bulk order form that handles that well. You download a spreadsheet template, fill in your addresses and gift preferences, upload it, and we take care of the rest. For businesses sending 20, 50, or 100 […]
Northland’s Olives On The Hill: From Forgotten Grove to Award-Winning Olive Oil
Chris and Linda Smith discovered a neglected olive grove during a bike ride in Mangawhai in 2012, restored it, and now produce award-winning EVOO from five varieties. Their grove was selected for a national research programme that doubled olive yields across NZ. They’ve won medals every year since their first harvest and still run community picking days. We stock their oil in our Notable Northland and Vegan gift boxes.
What If Valentine’s Day Didn’t Have to Follow a Script?
Skip predictable Valentine’s gifts this year. Regional NZ gift boxes let you choose treats from places that mean something to you and your recipient, turning a gift into a personal story. Free heart cookie with orders over $100.
Wonderland Chocolate: Wellington’s Plant-Based Chocolate Pioneer
This article is part of our Supplier Stories series, where we share the people and stories behind the products in our gift boxes. There’s something special about discovering a local producer who’s genuinely doing things differently. Wonderland Chocolate first caught our attention through their branding. That distinctive turquoise packaging with carnival characters immediately stood out […]
January & February Food Events and Perfect Gift Moments
Summer’s in full swing and New Zealand’s food festival scene is buzzing! From wine celebrations to craft beer festivals and everything in between, the next two months offer great opportunities to discover local flavours and find the perfect excuse to send someone special a thoughtful gift. Food Events Happening This Summer January and February are […]
