Local & Sustainable Gift Ideas 2024/2025
As we approach the holiday season, there's an increasing desire to give gifts that delight and contribute to the well-being of our planet, our region, and our community.
Let’s prioritize presents that support small businesses, reduce environmental impact, and promote our great Taranaki!
Whether you're shopping for a loved one, a colleague, or even yourself, choosing locally made and sustainably sourced gifts is a meaningful way to celebrate the season while making a positive impact.
In this article, we’ll explore a curated selection of gift ideas that combine creativity, sustainability, and local craftsmanship, helping you find the perfect present that reflects your values and helps foster a greener future!
Local & Sustainable Presents Ideas*
Support local non-profits: Predator-Free Taranaki, Crop Swap Aotearoa, Taranaki Timebank, Taranaki Kiwi Trust*. You usually donate or buy some products to support their great mahi!
Explore local OP Shops in Taranaki like the Junction Zero Waste Hub or the New Plymouth Bike Kitchen!
Shop at Local Markets in Taranaki (we have 19!): it may be the best way to find local handmade gems! See the full list of local markets here*
Visit local art galleries: The Collaboration, Kina, Gover St Gallery in New Plymouth, Fenton Street Arts Collective in Stratford, and South Taranaki Creative Space or the Collective in Hāwera.*
Support our great local partners: Escape Coffee, the Fruity Gardener, Everkind, Down to Earth Organics, Herbi NZ, Known Unknown Wines. They all support us, and we’d love you to support them back!
Look for small local sustainable businesses like: Mountain Road Estate (Organic Lavender, White Sage and Truffle grown in Taranaki), Your Home Naturally (homemade cleaning products), Dee Turner’s book “Seed sowing, planting and harvesting guide” for the North Island ($10, order at derinatur@hotmail.com), Rua Timber Solutions (upcycling timber waste) and MORE!*
* Do you know of others to add to the list? Please contact us here!
Thinking outside the box to offer different “gifts”
Find below four useful tips for having a Para Kore (Zero Waste) holiday season:
(Source: parakoreaotearoa)
Gift experiences - instead of buying something material! Organise a day walking around your local beach, awa or park including some activities.
Be of service - No cost for you or the taiao (nature) but it will grow your connections! Do some gardening, cleaning, upcycling…
Hei aha te moumou kai - Share excess kai with your neighbours/whānau, freeze food so it lasts longer, compost food scraps, etc! Plan and organise the food to reduce waste (and costs!).
Make something - Cook some kai and/or handmake something you can offer to your whānau. It will be more personal and meaningful!
