Supporting NZ‑Made: Showcasing Local Kitchenware & Artisan Makers


Supporting NZ‑Made: Showcasing Local Kitchenware & Artisan Makers main image

🥝 Bringing Home the Best of NZ

 

New Zealand is full of creative makers whose work adds personality, durability, and local character to our kitchens. At Chef’s Complements, we’re proud to stock a curated selection of homegrown brands, each with its own story, values, and flavour. Below are some of our favourites and what makes them stand out.

 

 

🥝 Why Buying NZ‑Made Matters

 

  1. Local economy & community – Your purchase supports Kiwi artisans, families, and small businesses.
  2. Reduced footprint – Shorter supply chains and more sustainable logistics.
  3. Made for Kiwi living – Designed to suit our homes, climate, and tastes.
  4. Stories in every piece – These aren’t just products — they carry purpose, passion, and place.

 

🥝 20 NZ Brands We’re Proud to Stock (A → Z)

 

Agee

An iconic New Zealand name, Agee is beloved for its glass preserving jars, first produced between the 1920s and 1940s. Today, the brand continues to honour its heritage with a nostalgic range of retro-inspired kitchen tools, utensils, and storage solutions full of timeless Kiwi charm.

 

CedarWorks

This husband-and-wife duo handcrafts gourmet grilling planks from cedar, maple, and cherry wood, all sourced and made right here in New Zealand. Designed to infuse meats and seafood with rich, smoky flavour, CedarWorks brings a touch of artisan flair to every summer barbecue.

 

ClickClack

A staple in Kiwi kitchens, ClickClack is trusted for its sleek, airtight containers, clever gadgets, and practical on-the-go solutions. Designed with everyday ease in mind, their smart range brings order and understated style to pantries, fridges, and benchtops alike.

 

Ecovask

This family-run brand offers a sustainable alternative to disposable dishcloths. Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and plant-based fibres, Ecovask’s thoughtfully designed cloths and brushes combine durability, beauty, and environmental integrity.

 

F N Lemons

Straight from the heart of Taranaki, F N Lemons crafts vibrant cocktail garnishes – from hand-sliced, dehydrated citrus to zesty dusting sugars. Made in small batches and packed with flavour, their range brings freshness, flair, and a playful punch to every glass.

 

Glasseye Creek

Born in a Little Wanganui pub on the South Island’s wild West Coast, Glasseye Creek brews bold, small-batch meat sauces full of flavour and personality. A cult favourite among BBQ lovers and flavour chasers nationwide.

 

Good Change

Founded in Tauranga in 2019, Good Change is dedicated to sustainable, high-quality home care. Their thoughtfully designed range, including eco-friendly cloths, scrubbing brushes, refillable glass bottles, and cleaning tablets, blends style, practicality, and conscious innovation. Everyday essentials, made better for you and the planet.

 

Hoot

Handcrafted in Wellington, Hoot’s small-batch smoked chilli sauces and oils pack bold, savoury flavour into every drop. Made with sun-dried tomatoes, chillies, NZ-grown rapeseed oil, and a hint of natural wood smoke, they’re perfect for marinating, cooking, or finishing any dish with a smoky kick.

 

Hunt & Gather

Established in 2018 in New Zealand, Hunt & Gather transforms everyday BBQs into culinary experiences. Their range includes sauces, rubs, salts, salsas, mustards, mayos, and more, all crafted in New Zealand with both local and imported ingredients. From smoky ribs to vibrant finishing salts and bold spice blends, Hunt & Gather adds depth, character, and authenticity to your cooking.

 

i candy

Founded in Auckland in 2000, iCandy crafts 100% Kiwi-designed and made greeting cards and stationery, featuring clean, minimalist art and heartfelt messages. Led by artist Lisa Hamilton Gibbs, the brand’s mission is to spread kindness, humour, and brighten every recipient’s day. With fully recyclable cards and protective sleeves, iCandy is a thoughtful choice for both sentiment and sustainability.

 

Nanric Road

Family-run out of the Bay of Plenty’s kiwifruit country, Nanric Road has been delighting New Zealand food lovers for nearly 15 years. Using high‑quality ingredients (locally sourced where possible) and time‑honoured family recipes, their range spans relishes, pastes, jams, jellies, salts, and more: gourmet flavours, honest roots, and a touch of Kiwi charm.

 

NZ Casings

Family-owned and based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand Casings Co. specialises in premium, all-natural sheep and hog sausage casings. Pre-tubed for easy use and crafted with time-honoured methods using only water and salt, their casings deliver superior flavour, juiciness, and that signature “snap” in every sausage. Committed to quality and inclusivity, they offer Halal-certified options and proudly support both home sausage makers and commercial producers, exporting globally from Aotearoa.

 

Opito Bay Salt Co.

Nestled in Coromandel’s pristine Opito Bay, Opito Bay Salt Co. crafts award-winning, hand-harvested sea salt using traditional solar evaporation. Their 100% natural salt captures the rich minerality of the ocean, offering a briny, soft-crystal texture without any additives. Sustainably produced under the New Zealand sun, it’s a pure, unrefined seasoning that elevates every dish. Available in various sizes and multi-flavour options to suit every taste.

 

Pepper & Me

Founded in a Tauranga home kitchen, Pepper & Me has grown into a beloved Kiwi brand known for its bold, handcrafted spice blends, seasonings, pastes, and meal bases. Created to simplify cooking without sacrificing flavour, their range makes it easy to add flair to everyday dishes, whether you’re marinating, grilling, or finishing.

 

Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust

Led by kaumātua in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), Rauawaawa is a non-profit organisation providing culturally grounded health, social, educational, and wellbeing services for Māori aged 55 and over. Through their social enterprise arm, REKA, they created Kuki Reka Kani – beautiful Māori-inspired cookie cutters that support cooking therapy, cultural connection, and fundraising for dementia care and age-friendly facility upgrades.

 

Six Barrel Soda Co.

Wellington-born Six Barrel Soda has been reimagining fizzy drinks since 2012. Their hand‑crafted syrups and seltzer drops use real, natural ingredients: think NZ citrus, Hawkes Bay feijoas, Central Otago cherries, organic ginger, and fair‑trade cane sugar. With around 30% less sugar than typical sodas, their creations avoid preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colours, and added flavours. Six Barrel is independently NZ‑owned, Living Wage accredited, and committed to low‑waste packaging and global reach.

 

St Andrews Limes

Based in Havelock North, St Andrews Limes produces small-batch condiments, sauces, dressings, curds, and other pantry staples using locally grown limes and lemons. Rooted in Hawke’s Bay and crafted with care, their range celebrates bright, bold citrus flavour in every jar and bottle.

 

Victory Knives

Since 1927, Victory Knives has upheld a proud New Zealand legacy of precision and durability. Originally founded by master cutler Edward Goddard (from Sheffield), the brand now combines German steel with Kiwi craftsmanship and stringent quality control. Used by major meat and fish processors, commercial divers, and home chefs alike, Victory Knives are engineered for performance, whether for filleting, butchery, or everyday kitchen use, and backed by a commitment to local manufacturing. 

 

Volcanic Chocolate

Located in New Zealand’s volcanic heartland near Mt Ruapehu and Lake Taupō, Volcanic Chocolate handcrafts artisan treats using premium Belgian chocolate and locally inspired flavours. Their bespoke creations, from wedding favours and corporate gifts to festive indulgences, are thoughtfully made to delight, surprise, and celebrate every occasion.

 

Wild West Gourmet

Based in Northland, Wild West Gourmet produces bold, small‑batch sauces, relishes, chutneys, and seasoning blends using artisan methods and a strong commitment to sustainability. Their kitchen is purpose-built from upcycled materials, and they source local ingredients whenever possible. Known as one of the few craft Worcestershire sauce makers in Australasia, they age their signature sauces to build depth and complexity. Designed for accessibility, their range brings flavour to BBQs, platters, weeknight dinners, and thoughtful gifts. No fuss, just honest ingredients and vibrant taste!

 

🥝 Tips for Bringing NZ‑Made into Your Kitchen

 

  • Start small – Try one or two items that suit your space or routine – like a new cleaning product, a clever, space-saving container, or a sea salt you can use every day.
  • Use with intention – Let each item shine, whether you’re smoking salmon with CedarWorks or seasoning roast veg with Pepper & Me.
  • Care to last – Many artisan and natural products thrive with a little TLC – follow care instructions to keep them looking and performing their best.
  • Share the story – Whether it’s over a meal or in a gift, telling the maker’s story adds richness to the experience.

 

🥝 From Our Backyard to Your Benchtop

 

Supporting NZ‑made is about more than ticking the “local” box: it’s about celebrating the people, landscapes, and ideas behind the tools and flavours we love. From locally manufactured knives and sustainably made cloths to bold sauces and nostalgic jars, each brand in our collection brings a piece of Aotearoa into your kitchen.

At Chef’s Complements, we’re proud to champion these 20 New Zealand brands and the passion behind them. Browse our full NZ-Origin Collection and shop local with purpose.