New Zealand may be geographically small, but it has quickly earned a name in the world of craft gin. The country’s distillers draw heavily on their natural surroundings, using native botanicals like kawakawa, manuka, horopito, seaweed and local citrus to create flavour profiles that stand apart from traditional European styles.
Most distilleries are young and boutique in scale, with a strong focus on sustainability, terroir and storytelling. Since around 2015, the number of producers has grown rapidly, especially around Auckland, Wellington and the Bay of Plenty. Several brands now win international awards and export to Australia, Asia, Europe and North America.
New Zealand gin spans classic dry expressions as well as more contemporary styles such as barrel-aged, citrus-driven and fruit-infused gins. The hospitality scene actively promotes local spirits, and tourism – through distillery visits, gin trails and festivals, plays a major role in visibility and sales.
Rather than chasing volume, New Zealand positions itself as a premium niche player: nature-led, distinctive and proud of its botanical heritage. That’s what makes Kiwi gin increasingly visible on the global stage.
Uncover one-of-a-kind gins that you won’t find anywhere else.
We’ve connected over 150 producers with importers worldwide!
