Blog Posts

In this article, we share the behind-the-scenes journey of Kāri Māori — our Māori-inspired playing cards — and how that journey eventually led us offshore. What began as a dream to produce everything locally turned into a valuable lesson in navigating quality, sustainability, and staying true to our kaupapa. After encountering repeated challenges with local manufacturing, we made the call to move production to China — a decision that, while met with hesitation, opened new doors.

What started as a reluctant shift soon became a turning point — offering new possibilities, renewed clarity, and a deeper commitment to delivering an excellent product we’re proud of. We’re excited to share this chapter of our pakihi with you, along with the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Now that 2024 is wrapped up, it’s time to reflect on a year of growth and challenges. In a year I dubbed my 'bold era', I emerged from a mid-year creative slump to launch a cheeky new line of bilingual greeting cards, which had been on my mind for years. Alongside creating more educational resources and making key decisions like moving some production overseas, I was continually driven to enhance our offerings. While I didn't expand our team as hoped, the foundation laid in previous years helped navigate these changes with resilience and creativity.

Explore a unique assortment of exceptional products from 50+ Māori-owned businesses in our carefully curated collection. Discover meaningful gifts for the festive season and beyond while championing local artisans and indigenous entrepreneurs. Our guide spans various budget options, catering to your every gifting need, whether it's a charming Secret Santa surprise, a cute stocking filler, a statement gift for a loved one, or a collaborative gift between whānau and friends that leaves a lasting impression.