I've just received some sheepskin boots that I ordered from a NZ saddlery with the intention of supporting New Zealand industry. They are very good boots but the label says "Designed in New Zealand, Made in China from 100% Australian Sheepskin". So not a NZ product at all.

I thought we could share information about products we can buy on line that are made in NZ, even better if they are made from mainly NZ materials.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2020 02:24AM by TPANDAV.

I order my Nespresso coffee capsules from Coffee Capsules 2 U. Obviously the coffee beans are not local but this is a small at home business, with great coffee and great prices

I can recommend Banks & Co hand sanitiser, made in NZ, 70% alcohol plus aloe vera and it smells and feels lovely.

[banksandco.com]

Village Press olive oil or other NZ olive oil rather than imported Greek or Italian.

NZ smoked salmon instead of Norwegian (Pams brand), Danish (Ocean Blue and Clearly brands), German (New Nordic brand) or other of the foreign salmon (including Countdown's own brand which is Atlantic salmon) now flooding our market.

NZ made pasta, made from NZ grown durum wheat. [www.pastadoro.co.nz]

NZ garlic instead of Chinese.

NZ oranges instead of imported oranges.

Frozen (or fresh) NZ spinach instead of frozen imported spinach.

Support local newspapers instead of subscribing to overseas publications.

Chemical cleaners [qualchem.co.nz]

Bags, such as backpacks, gear bags, knitting bags, survival kits [www.palco.co.nz]

NZ made knitwear using locally sourced fibres [www.mkm.co.nz]

It would be great if we all stopped buying imported fruit and vegetables (except maybe for bananas!) and kept to seasonal produce grown in NZ (preferably locally) or in the Pacific Islands. I know there'd be reciprocal trade issues, but it would contribute hugely to the reduction of CO2 emissions, as well as supporting local growers. Food writers could help by focussing on genuinely seasonal produce in their recipes - something that they often pay lip service to, but don't actually do...

The difficulty comes with entirely NZ made products usually being significantly more expensive than the alternatives. While I appreciate they're often of higher quality, many families simply cannot afford the option even if it will last longer, taste better etc. Especially now with such economic uncertainty. There is a balance to be struck somewhere, somehow, but who knows what that may be.

It is a great idea, and I hope those who can, do take the option. We've decided the best we can do right now is shop at our locally owned shops in Warkworth, regardless of where their products come from, at least we're putting money back into our immediate community. Such as, my son works as a cleaner for the local butcher, so it is in our best interests to shop there so he can continue having a job as well!

Agree, Karena that we should buy and use seasonal fruit and veg - with the exception of bananas, grapes and pineapples which don't grow in commercial quantities in NZ. I get so mad when I see American stonefruit and asparagus, and capsicum from the Netherlands in our supermarkets over winter.

Perhaps this plays right into the hands of the farmers' markets of the land who now have the potential to experience a resurgence. While they have always been popular for buying fresh local produce and artisan products and as social gathering points, some, I feel, have become quite elitist and expensive - now is their chance to get it right.

Edited to add: I see a Farmers Market on-line shop has been launched recently - maker2U.co.nz. The concept has been under development for some time but the current situation brought the idea to fruition earlier than planned. Also I see various growers around the country have gone on-line and have been able to supply their customers through lockdown. Great ideas which I hope will continue after life gets back to 'normal'.

Regards,

Barbara Anne



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2020 06:13AM by Barbara Anne.

I totally agree with you Barbara Anne, about how a lot of small, local producers have taken the 'elite' approach. Understandable if they could do it, after all one is in business to make money. I think smart operators will see that taking a more everyday angle will win them more long term customers.

This is one thing I think Sandy, who owns Martha's Backyard in Auckland, has got spot on. About 12-14 years ago she started a small shop in Glenn Innes importing American clothes and a small amount of grocery items. Now she has a huge shop in Mt Wellington that is exclusively US imported groceries. Lets ignore that aspect for the moment, but it's the business angle she takes that I agree with, and that is volume sale at lower prices. She prices her at or only a touch above the NZ equivalent, which means they become a viable everyday grocery option for some, rather than a special occasion or treat.

If possible, I think this is how more NZ producers need angle themselves.

There was an article printed in yesterday’s ODT where a furniture retailer said how very important it was in these difficult times to support local business. My problem with this particular one is that the company brings shipping containers full of cheap furniture from China. That is not something I support.

Chris Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There was an article printed in yesterday’s ODT
> where a furniture retailer said how very important
> it was in these difficult times to support local
> business. My problem with this particular one is
> that the company brings shipping containers full
> of cheap furniture from China. That is not
> something I support.

Agreed. There is the huge problem that manufacturing in NZ has diminished to the point that many household goods can't be sourced other then from importers. But my view is that if we all take the time to find out what is in fact made or sourced in NZ, and accept that it might cost a bit more, then slowly our country might re-establish a manufacturing base.

Every little bit helps.

NZ furniture:
[www.coastwoodfurniture.co.nz]
[www.kovacs.co.nz]
[furnish.co.nz]
[www.montreux.co.nz]
[www.sorenmobler.co.nz]
[kadima.co.nz]
[www.thecusp.nz]
[www.woodwrights.co.nz]
[www.kgfurniture.co.nz]
[www.handcarvedfurniture.co.nz]
[www.wilsonandnicholson.co.nz]
[www.woodcellar.co.nz]
[beds4u.co.nz]
[naturalbeds.nz]
[www.ezi-rest.co.nz]
[breswaoutdoorfurniture.co.nz]
[www.woodpiafurniture.co.nz]
[www.recycledrimufurniture.co.nz]
[themacrofactory.co.nz]
[www.treology.co.nz]

The only problem with the theory of supporting local even if it is going to cost a little more, unfortunately is not that easy for all. We have lost half of our income with my income decreasing to nil. I look upon ourselves as the 'local' people we will be supporting budgetary wise. Selfish yes - but mandatory? Yes. I can't see a local manufacturer whether it be food or otherwise, stepping up and offering me a discount as I am a local and have lost 100% of my income.

And we are, I hope, in a better position then others in similar circumstances, as I think we are fairly financially astute budget wise, but definitely not wealthy. However I still can't afford to pay more as I do not know how long it will be until I am earning an income again - other than the pension in just under 12 months time.

Great list you put together the, J1. At my age I am not looking at buying furniture or major items unless something can’t be repaired, so I am only concerned about food and clothing which is doable.

Irene, re your income decreasing to nil, did you not apply to the Wage Subsidy Scheme? It's "available to all businesses (including the self-employed, contractors and sole traders)".

I know what you mean, Chris. Furniture stores haven't featured in my life for a long time. Most stores are like that for me actually, with food the exception. But I was curious about how much "made in NZ" clothing was out there, so I made this list:

[www.loveknotwar.nz]
[www.kiltonline.co.nz]
[www.whitechalk.co.nz]
[tcd.co.nz]
[nyne.co.nz]
[euphoriadesign.co.nz]
[www.chocolat-nz.com]
[www.obi-nz.com]
[www.pennysage.com]
[www.stapleandcloth.co.nz]
[repertoire.co.nz]
[nisa.co.nz]
[louknzclothing.co.nz]
[www.untouchedworld.com]
[lostandledastray.co.nz]
[ultimo.clothing]
[www.velvetheartbeat.com]
[www.twentysevennames.co.nz]
[www.thunderpants.co.nz]

New one added
[www.cactusoutdoor.co.nz]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2020 01:18AM by J1.

J1, yes I did apply for the subsidy scheme - I am self employed. But that is for a 12 week period, which I hope to make last even further. But after that I have no income and forecasted trends are that travel will be affected for a good 2 to 3 years. I have been working on practically nil income since mid March assisting customers with refunds which then leads to 100% commission recalls by airlines etc. They do not let us keep what commission we have earned - so once the refunds(there are so many, that they can easily take up to 3 months for airlines to process) start to come through, my income I am expecting to be in the negative

So I have to be frugal and buy what is the cheapest, and not what is the most pc to have. Sorry but buying local is out of the window, it is buying the best price

And I must add I am not posting this for sympathy, I am just stating a fact and being realistic as to my spending power.

Irène, keep fingers crossed that the transtasman bubble will eventuate before too long and that you can revive your business although Australia alone could not make up what you are losing. Tough times indeed.

Best wishes for getting through the coming times Irene. A tour operator we deal with, who usually specialises in Mediterranean holidays, has suddenly sent us a NZ holiday tour - the quick diversification made me smile.

There'll be lots of new ideas out there, some good, some not so....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/2020 12:37AM by J1.

I know I can google but does anyone have any ideas of lovely baby clothing that is local?
I have a gift to buy in the next week or two, eagerly awaiting arrival news.

helen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I know I can google but does anyone have any ideas
> of lovely baby clothing that is local?
> I have a gift to buy in the next week or two,
> eagerly awaiting arrival news.

Check out Nature Baby, Helen. I have bought gifts from them.

New Zealand made baby clothes:

[www.dimples.co.nz]
[lolaandben.nz]
[thebabysroom.co.nz]
[www.mudmates.co.nz]
[www.nappyneedz.co.nz]
[www.ecobubsnappies.co.nz]

It was very difficult to find NZ made baby clothes. I went through a lot of websites. Many talk about being careful to source their cotton from organic, ethical, ecologically sound places (India mostly), etc, which is fair enough because NZ doesn't grow cotton but the making/manufacturing information can be harder to pin down. If you spend time looking through all the fine print and reading between the lines, most are outsourcing the making/manufacture to India, Vietnam, China, etc. So, in summary, many websites that appear to have beautiful baby clothes made from beautiful fabrics may look and sound fine and be designed in NZ or using NZ merino wool or have some other NZ connection but will still turn out to not be made/manufactured here. I'm not saying that's a bad thing and I have no personal judgment on any of this, but if you want genuine "made in New Zealand" baby clothing, then that short list above is about it based on what Google can point me in the direction of.

Happy gifting!

Another thought - NZ miso from Urban Hippies in Nelson. It is unpasteurised (raw) and totally delicious. I've just put in an order. As far as I know this is the only raw miso available in NZ.

[miso.co.nz]

Here's another company that makes its clothing in New Zealand: [www.groundeffect.co.nz] It's gear is mostly for cyclists, but I buy their socks, and wear them when I'm out walking wearing trainers.

Beautiful NZ made wood products - [www.woodzone.co.nz]

baby rattles, toys, teething peg, kaleidoscope, games, puzzles

chopping boards, trays, bowls, utensil pots, pastry tamper, mortar & pestle, tasting spoons, olive spoons, bottle stands, toast tongs, wine glass holder, bread knife, rolling pins including handleless ones, coaster sets, saucers, cheese boards, platter, pizza board, pizza cutter, honey twirl, serviette holder, cheese knives, pot trivet, grater, fish-shaped pot stand, lazy susans, bottle opener, salad servers, tablemats, paper towel holder, cheese slicer, ice cream scoop, banana hanger...

look at the banana hanger! [www.woodzone.co.nz]

jewellery boxes, ring boxes, trinket box, ornaments, album cover, Christmas decorations, rulers, tealight candle holder, pen pots, wall plaques, key rings, carved magnets, photo holders, needle case, tissue box cover, desk clock, foot massager, gumboot rack, scent bottles and flasks, soap dishes, milking stool, coffee table, stools

firewood, wood shavings, kindling

This facebook page f or New Zealand Made Products was mentioned in the Sunday Star Times this morning
[www.facebook.com]

Hi all,

I’m not sure if I’m allowed to mention these companies, so please remove if required.

When I was working, I merchandised first these NZ owned companies.

Whittaker’s
L’Affare - coffee
Robert Harris - coffee
Barkers
Anathoth- owned by Barkers
Farrahs- wraps
Hubbards
Heartland chips


Zee

A NZ products website set up during Covid lockdown (they started with a Facebook page, and apparently have an app as well as the website) [chooice.co.nz] It featured in the latest AA magazine.