The Cultigraphy Giving Guide for Ethical Kiwis 2023
December is here, which means Secret Santas are being hat-shaken to life in offices across Aotearoa (not another generic gift card, please), and it’s time to wrack your brains for the perfect prezzies for your mates.
At Cultigraphy, we love the Kiwi (and Aussie) scene of ethical and climate-positive businesses. We also love excellent design. There are seriously cool things popping out of our little country—things that are changing the world for the better, and also make for epic gifts under the tree. For the always escaping to the bush or the always somehow awake at 6am, here’s our best picks for festive gifts that are delightful, buzzing with character, and 100% not boring.
Spiced Orange Limited Edition Syrup | $19.50
Six Barrel Soda makes natural, low-waste syrups and seltz drops for the sparkliest water in Aotearoa. Teaming up with Everybody Eats, a pay-as-you-feel restaurant rescuing food, the syrup is made with orange rinds donated from a juice company.
Unyoked Nature Prescription | $269
Unyoked has just the right medicine for the worker bees who have spent way too much time in the hive this year. One night in the windswept wilderness might do the trick. A truly considered experience that we can personally vouch for.
Native Tree E-Card | $10+
Trees That Count is a charity planting trees in restoration projects all over Aotearoa. For a gift card that isn’t boring, send your coworker (who enjoys walking the Waitakeres on weekends) a beautiful digital card that helps to grow our brighter future.
The Local Project Annual Subscription | $127.50
Architecture and design lovers will rejoice in this annual subscription to Aussie-based editorial, The Local Project. Quiet, refined, and a real beauty to look at, the volumes feature some of the leading sustainable design firms in Aotearoa.
3 Box Taster Pack Specialty Coffee Pods | $34.50
Good coffee in cool packaging. It’s that simple. Flight Coffee works hard for ethically sourced beans and a recycling system that turns their bags into fence posts. Compatible with Nespresso for that buddy who can’t live without a morning brew.
Sevigny Apple Leather Crossbody Bag | $289
You heard right, this luxurious bag is made of apples. Velvet Heartbeat makes plant-based, slow fashion accessories, with minimal environmental impact.
Classic Towel Tangerine | $88
A super soft towel for lazing on the beach and dreaming you’re in Europe. Baskk makes them in Turkey with organic OEKO-TEX® certified cotton, and donates to regenerating Australian landscapes.
Softer Volumes: nōto | $49
nōto is for that creative who never stays in one place. The notebook draws inspiration from the subtle, warm Japanese aesthetic, and features hand-picked recommendations for 20 destinations. Softer Volumes is our go-to for purposeful contemporary design.
Charity Donations | $20+
There are plenty of local organisations you can support this Christmas, and humanitarian crises around the world to give help. Maybe pop the receipt in a nice card (that’s what we’re doing). Here’s our choice suggestions:
For The Love of Bees | A regenerative farm in Tāmaki Makaurau
Forest & Bird | Conservation of our native birds
Orange Sky | Free laundry and showers for homeless Kiwis
All product images belong to the respective brands. This is not a sponsorship, partnership, or affiliation post. We’re just big fans.
