Marōtini (Fi)'s first meeting with Cacao was on her very first stay at her own marae, Te Takutai o te Titi, Ōraka, Aparima, in 2018. Upon her whenua for the first time, she met in moemoeā her tupuna Moitoi Toi, she embraced Fi and held her as she slept.The next day, we shared in community activation to bring people together.

Marōtini didn’t know it then, but this is when she and Cacao were to begin a profound future together. Marōtini was reintroduced to cacao by her mentor, Chelita Zainey, through her mahi and being in receivership of her rongoā. This reconnection with cacao was a potent one. It created the thread towards Marotini's incredible, long-standing change in her own well-being. Opening her heart to the magic of the world and allowing joy to flow back into her life once again. This connection led Marotini (Fi) to work closely with Oonagh Browne, The Cacao Ambassador, from whom she's receiving mentoring.

In 2022, Marōtini participated in the Cacao Emissary training in Ōtautahi with Oonagh and Libby, learning and sharing about the whakapapa and wonders of the cacao plant, and, more importantly, where, how and who is growing and bringing Cacao into NZ. At the beginning of 2023, Marotini went to Ōtautahi and 'The Cacao Ambassador' to complete training with the concher machine to start manufacturing her own cacao and chocolate. An exciting step, being able to truly bring home her inner child's joy of making delicious treats in her mum's kitchen.

Upon arriving home with her new machine, Marōtini set about making her first batch of cacao and chocolate. Knowing that her kitchen space would quickly be outgrown, she approached The Dunedin Bowling Club, which had recently moved from its food trailer to a restaurant. With this berm-side kitchen addition, Marōtini has been able to work from home and create space for more profound healing. It’s all a journey towards the opportunities in front of us, it’s time to embrace them.

Opal + Sage’s story begins in 2018 in the beautiful Ruby Bay area of New Zealand’s South Island, where Danielle started pouring candles in her garage. After four years of selling at local markets and to local stockists, she made the heartfelt decision to focus on her family and sell the business to someone who believed in what she was creating.

That’s when the new owner stepped in.

A transformative yoga retreat in 2022 sparked a deep realisation within them. With unwavering clarity, they knew it was time to realign their work with their spiritual journey. After a decade in the corporate world, they felt the call for meaningful change.

They wanted to support others on their journeys. They wanted work that didn’t feel like work. And they dreamed of creating a supportive environment where they could one day start a family of their own.

When they discovered Opal + Sage, it felt like a moment of pure alignment. They had always held a deep connection to crystals, and while they had never poured a candle before, they were immediately captivated by the creativity and intention behind the process.

From the very beginning, they committed to staying true to the brand’s roots—sourcing ethical crystals, using naturally derived ingredients, and continuously working to make Opal + Sage better for the planet.

Opal + Sage’s mission is to infuse more Glimmers into the world—those small, fleeting moments that bring calm, clarity, and joy. Every time someone chooses one of their candles, they hope it becomes a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and welcome a Glimmer into their life.

WHO IS ELIJAH is a modern fragrance house where individuality meets imagination, and the art of transformation is bottled. Founded by Raquel Bouris in 2018 amidst the vibrant energy of Sydney, Australia, each creation is a statement of untamed elegance, crafted to reflect the multifaceted nature of those who wear them.Each scent is a story waiting to be written. WHO IS ELIJAH fragrances are living, breathing characters, inviting you to step into their world and explore who you want to be today. Minimalist yet endlessly versatile, they transcend conventions, inspiring freedom, confidence, and self-expression. With every spritz, you hold the power to craft your narrative, one unforgettable moment at a time.At WHO IS ELIJAH, luxury is reimagined as a subtle yet striking art form. Every detail is deliberate, every creation timeless. Our fragrances are a seamless blend of elegance and modernity, designed to leave an indelible impression. Here, the artistry of scent takes centre stage, uncompromised and unforgettable.

A family business since 1999. Starting from humble beginnings, they are now New Zealand's most innovative and creative chocolate company. Founder and Director, Dianne Sussex’s values have always stayed the same from the beginning — use supreme quality ingredients to create unique chocolate experiences for people to enjoy. Their small team of chocolatiers spend most days making the chocolates by hand, from start to finish. Everything is made in their chocolate kitchen based on the North Shore of Auckland City. They love to push the boundaries of what chocolate should be. This has led them to build a large international following for their amazing hand-decorated bonbons, Easter eggs, and Christmas baubles.

Apostle is a small team of three, Mat, Lydia and their dog Ben.

they draw inspiration for our flavours from the wonderfully diverse culinary landscape of Aotearoa. A melting pot of different cultures and styles of cuisine, they wanted to blend the very best of local flavours to make every dish one to enjoy.

Vegan friendly beauty without compromise

Dear Heart vegan friendly beauty products are made with love, for you.

Created by a talented herbalist, holistic nutritionist and chef, this dreamy collection of potions, elixirs, tonics, and foodie treats is lovingly handmade in a sun-drenched Wellington studio right in the heart of Aotearoa

Somebody’s Sister is skincare with soul created by former fashion and beauty columnist, Amy Parsons-King, in 2022. Rooted in the belief that nature holds the answers, Amy’s beautiful brand was born from a personal journey of healing, motherhood, and deep care.

At Petal Studios, we’re all about beautiful things that make you feel good and ANTLER NZ does exactly that. Born in the heart of Central Otago back in 2015, ANTLER NZ is a proudly New Zealand-owned brand that’s mastered the art of effortless accessorising. Think: timeless pieces, curated collections, and that extra little something that completes your look and lifts your mood.