Shopping for New Zealand Products – Local Gifts, Souvenirs & Specialty Items
Explore unique New Zealand products that make perfect souvenirs or gifts, including Manuka honey, merino wool clothing, greenstone (pounamu) carvings, Māori art, and locally crafted food and wine.
New Zealand offers a wide range of authentic and high-quality products that reflect the country’s culture, landscape, and craftsmanship. Manuka honey is prized for its natural health benefits, while soft merino wool clothing is both stylish and functional. Greenstone (pounamu) carvings carry deep cultural meaning and make for meaningful keepsakes. You’ll also find beautifully crafted Māori art, natural skincare made with native botanicals, and artisan food and wine that showcase the best of New Zealand’s produce.
To help you choose, we’ve listed some of the most unique and memorable items to take home—each one a special reminder of your time in Aotearoa.
Mānuka Honey
Mānuka honey is one of New Zealand’s most prized natural products, known for its rich flavour and powerful antibacterial properties. Sourced from the nectar of the native Mānuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), this honey is valued both as a health supplement and a gourmet ingredient. Its unique potency is measured by the UMF (Unique Mānuka Factor) rating, which reflects its antibacterial strength. Mānuka honey can be enjoyed by the spoonful, added to tea, or used in skincare for its soothing and healing benefits. Whether you're after wellness or indulgence, Mānuka honey is a distinctly New Zealand product worth taking home.
Possum Merino
Possum merino is a uniquely New Zealand blend of fibres that combines soft merino wool with warm, lightweight possum fur. This luxurious fabric is prized for its incredible warmth, softness, and durability—offering up to 40% more heat retention than pure wool alone. Possum fur is hollow, making it exceptionally insulating while remaining breathable and light. The blend is also resistant to pilling and ideal for sensitive skin. Products made from possum merino, such as scarves, gloves, sweaters, and socks, are not only stylish and practical but also support conservation efforts by using fur from a pest species that threatens New Zealand’s native wildlife.
Greenstone - Pounamu
New Zealand greenstone jewellery, also known as pounamu, holds deep cultural significance and is highly valued for both its beauty and meaning. Sourced primarily from the South Island’s West Coast rivers, pounamu is a type of nephrite jade treasured by Māori for centuries. Traditionally gifted as a symbol of respect, love, or connection, each piece of greenstone jewellery—whether carved into a twist, koru, toki, or fishhook—carries its own story and symbolism. Wearing or gifting pounamu is seen as a gesture of protection and strength, making it a meaningful and authentic souvenir of Aotearoa.
New Zealand Natural Skincare Products
New Zealand natural skincare products are renowned for their purity, effectiveness, and use of native botanical ingredients. Brands like Antipodes, Scenturiê, Linden Leaves, and Trilogy harness the power of locally sourced elements such as mānuka honey, kawakawa, harakeke (flax), and kiwifruit to create gentle yet nourishing skincare solutions. These products are often cruelty-free, eco-conscious, and made in small batches to ensure quality. Whether you’re after hydrating creams, soothing balms, or rejuvenating serums, New Zealand’s natural skincare offers a beautiful way to care for your skin while taking home a piece of the country’s clean, green philosophy.
All Blacks and Black Ferns Rugby Shirts
An All Blacks shirt is one of the most iconic souvenirs you can take home from New Zealand. Representing the country’s legendary national rugby team, it stands for sporting excellence, national pride, and deep cultural heritage. Equally celebrated are the Black Ferns, New Zealand’s world-champion women’s rugby team, whose jerseys carry the same powerful silver fern emblem. Whether you choose an All Blacks or Black Ferns shirt, each is a meaningful gift or keepsake—perfect for rugby fans or anyone wanting to take home a piece of New Zealand’s proud sporting legacy.
Swanndri Clothing
New Zealand Swanndri clothing is a classic Kiwi favourite, known for its rugged durability, timeless style, and connection to the outdoors. Originally designed in 1913 for farmers and bushmen, Swanndri garments—especially the iconic wool bush shirt—are made to handle New Zealand’s ever-changing weather. Crafted from high-quality wool and built to last, they’re ideal for hiking, farming, or simply staying warm in style. Taking home a Swanndri piece is more than just buying clothing—it’s a true piece of New Zealand heritage and a practical, long-lasting souvenir that captures the spirit of the land and lifestyle.
Māoro Carvings
Māori carvings are a powerful expression of New Zealand’s indigenous culture, rich in meaning and tradition. Hand-carved from wood, bone, or pounamu (greenstone), each piece tells a story—often symbolising protection, strength, connection, or ancestry. Common designs include the koru (spiral of new life), tiki (wisdom and protection), and manaia(guardian spirit). These carvings are more than decorative—they hold deep spiritual and cultural significance. Whether worn as jewellery or displayed as artwork, Māori carvings make a meaningful and authentic souvenir that connects you to the heart of Aotearoa.
Whittaker’s Chocolate
Whittaker’s chocolate is one of New Zealand’s most beloved and recognisable treats, making it a delicious and easy souvenir to take home. Family-owned and proudly made in New Zealand since 1896, Whittaker’s is known for its commitment to quality, using only the finest ingredients and crafting its chocolate from bean to bar. With a wide range of flavours—from classic creamy milk and dark Ghana to uniquely Kiwi options like Hokey Pokey and Jelly Tip—there’s something for every taste. Affordable, locally made, and full of flavour, a block (or two) of Whittaker’s is the perfect way to share a taste of New Zealand with friends and family back home.