The relationship between Australia and New Zealand is an especially close one. Like siblings with love and tease each other, and nothing feels better than beating each other at a sporting match!

The Kiwis are a long way from most places, and I think that’s fostered their self reliance, global world view, and a pursuit of excellence in pretty much everything.

The evolution of craft gin has been a recent development for the country, and has been approached with professionalism (after all their wine and beers are world class) and polish, thoughtfully informed by unique local botanicals.

Here’s a list of the current distillers, note the makers may have released multiple gin labels, so this list does not include every single gin available.

For the most part, production is small batch, and availability outside NZ can be a challenge, but I do recommend you seek them out, they offer a distinct and polished gin expression.

In March 2019, I have the honour of being a guest international judge at their inaugural craft spirits awards in Wellington.

Updated 15 March 2018

1. 1st Cut Gin, Nelson
2. 1919 Distillery Gin, Auckland
3. Ariki Gin, Auckland
4. Blenheim Bay Gin, Blenheim
5. Black Robin Gin, Auckland
6. Black Collar Distillery, Bay of Islands
7. Blush Gin, Albany
8. Broken Heart Gin, Queenstown
9. Bureaucrats Gin, Wellington
10. Cardona, Cardona, South Island
11. Christie’s Crisp Gin, New Zealand (no website)
12. Curiosity Gin,Christchurch
13. Dancing Sands Distillery, Takaka
14. Dellows Distillery, Waiheke
15. Denzian Urban Distillery, Wellington
16. First Cut, Nelson
17. Hidden World Gin, Auckland
18. Indiginous Gin, Kapiti
19. Island Gin, Great Barrier Island
20. Juno Gin, New Plymouth
21. Karven Gin, Auckland
22. Kiwi Spirit, Takaka
23. Lavender Hill, Coatesville
24. Lighthouse Gin, Martinborough
25. Little Biddy, Reefton
26. Liquid Alchemy, Nelson
27. Matakana Moonshine Gin, Matakana
28. Mahurangi Gin, Waiwera
29. Prenzel Shop Marlborough
30. Puhoi Organic Distillery, Puhoi
31. Rogue Society Gin, Auckland
32. Reid & Reid, Martinborough
33. Revenge Gin, Auckland
34. Roaring Forties, Nelson
35. Riot and Rose, Marlborough
36. Sacred Spring Gin, Takaka
37. Smoke and Oakum
38. South Gin (out of production)
39. Sundown Gin, Auckland
40. Thomsons Victor Gin , Ricverhead
41. The Source Gin, Cardrona
42. TeKiwi Unique Gin, Takaka
43. Vaione Gin, Auckland
44. Waiwera Mahurangi Gin, Waiwera
45. Wild Diamond Gin, Wanaka