From conservation and environmentalism to disaster recovery and more, these 15 New Zealand made gins are ones you can buy knowing that it also helps out a worthy cause.
Art Deco Gin, The National Distillery Company
A summer gin made with Hawke's Bay citrus, including lemon, lime, and orange, Art Deco Gin is a London Dry that is both zingy and elegant. Made by The National Distillery Company which is located in Napier, 15% of the profits from this gin are donated to the Art Deco Trust which helps to maintain the city's heritage and character buildings that were built in the art deco style following the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.
Source: The National Distillery Company
The Source Barrel Aged Gin, Cardrona Distillery
A limited release of The Source Pink Gin which has been aged Felton Road Pinot Noir barrels for 4 months, featuring plum, vanilla, and citrus notes from the gin's botanicals and berry influences from the barrels. This gin was made in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month with $5 being donated for each bottles, the distillery even shares a boundary with the famous Cardrona Bra Fence which has raised almost $60,000 for Breast Cancer Research.
Source: THe Cardrona Distillery
Black Robin Rare Dry Gin, Simply Pure
Named for and depicting the Chatham Islands Black Robin, which has gone from endangered to vulnerable thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, a dollar from every bottle sold is donated to the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of NZ (or $5 if you buy it direct from them). Since they've launched Simply Pure has donated over $50,000 to charity for environmental and conservation causes, also making Blue Duck Rare Vodka which is named for the native Whio which is also endangered.
Source: Simply Pure
Down the Garden Path Gin, The Bond Store
Crafted for the Wellington Botanic Garden, this gin features kawakawa leaf from the garden itself along with a hint of rosehip to make a dry and crisp London gin. From every bottle sold $25 is donated to the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden to be reinvested in the gardens. The Wellington Botanic Garden is the only public botanic garden in the country that is solely dedicated to native plants.
Source: The Bond Store
03 Gin, The Spirits Workshop
Made in partnership by The Spirits Workshop and Christchurch Foundation, 100% of the profits from 03 Gin go to the Green Philanthropy Fund which works to accelerate positive environmental change in Waitaha Canterbury. They use native Canterbury lowland forest botanicals from Pūtaringamotu Riccarton Bush and Wai-ora Nursery, including Kahikatea, Kānuka, and Kawakawa.
Source: 03 Gin
Cyclone Recovery Dry Gin - 2023, The National Distillery Company
A specially made gin, also from The National Distillery Company, to aid in the Hawke's Bay's recovery following Cyclone Gabrielle earlier this year. Made with the involvement of other small business including Thieving Acorn, Strokers, Stems and Paper, Saverglass, Cloumbit, Font Design, Label and Litho, and Wilsigns, 80% of the profits from this lemon and lime forward gin, celebrating local growers, are donated to the Hawke's Bay Foundation.
Source: The National Distillery Company
Seven Seas Dry Gin, imagination
A special contemporary dry gin made to support the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, 50% of the profits from this gin go towards the organisation to aid in their marine conservation efforts. Made using seven botanical, these are balanced with the goal of transporting you to coastal waters through its taste and living up its name.
Source: imagination gin
Kākāpō Distillery
No specific gin this time, because no matter which of Kākāpō Distillery's micro-batch gins you buy, it counts. They are deeply committed to the survival of their namesake, donating 10% of their profits to the Kākāpō Recovery Fund, making two gins with a native botanical focus, Manuka Honey and Elderflower Gin, and Kawakawa and Pink Peppercorn Gin.
Source: Kākāpō Distillery
Missing Wingman Gin, imagination
Another from imagination, this gin was produced in a limited run of 400 bottles and sold through various auctions at New Zealand's airforce bases to raise money for the Missing Wingman Trust which supports the families of members of the Royal New Zealand Airforce.
Source: imagination gin
Hector's Gin, Akaroa Craft Distillery
Named for the Hector's dolphins that are native to New Zealand and can be found around Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula, Akaroa Craft Distillery is partnered with the New Zealand Whale & Dolphin Trust. They donate a portion of the profits from each of their Hector's Gins to aid their ongoing conservation and research. There are currently four different flavours of Hector's Gin.
Source: Akaroa Craft Distillery
Chemistry Gin
A London Dry gin born from a love of science and nature, this gin uses knowledge of its botanicals at a molecular level. They also work to make the world a brighter place for women by donating $2 from every bottle sold to strengthen women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Source: Chemistry Gin
Tī Kōuka Forest Gin, Sandymount Distillery
Showcasing some of the vibrant and versatile botanicals native to New Zealand, including Kawakawa, Horopito, Tarata, Tī Kōuka Bark, Harakeke Seed, and Manuka, this gin is inspired by the Tī Kōuka tree which is the distillery's symbol and present in their logo. They donate 100% of the profits from this bottle of gin towards causes that support New Zealand native bush.
Source: Sandymount Distillery
Dr Beak
This Marlborough based distillery has environmentalism at their core and feature different native New Zealand birds on their bottles, including the Kea and Fantail (Piwakawaka). As such, they donate 5% of the profits from their gin to Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of NZ to help protect the country's biodiversity.
Source: Dr Beak
The Vicar's Son
A tiny micro-distillery in Auckland, The Vicar's Son began donating $5 per 700ml bottle sold but moved to donating 5% of their overall revenue in early 2022 after beginning to offer different sized bottles. This money is donated towards deserving animal welfare causes which are mostly greyhounds, the dog featured on their logo.
Source: The Vicar's Son
Shearwater Gin, Mt. Fyffe Distillery
When Mt. Fyffe was started a part of their vision was to give back to the local community through donating to worthy causes. In 2022 they donated to the Kaikōura Wildlife Trust which rehabilitates sick and injured seabirds in honour of their Shearwater Gin a year after its creation (which named for the endangered Hutton Shearwater and designed to reflect the local coastline).
Source: Mt. Fyffe Distillery