We started Kākāpō Distillery with a simple idea - to make great gin that does a bit of good along the way. We’re a small family team, tucked away in Whangaparāoa, doing things by hand and refining our craft as we go. For us, every bottle we make is a way to celebrate the unique flavours of Aotearoa New Zealand and to give back to the forest and wildlife that inspire us.

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The kākāpō has always stood out to us - rare, curious, and a little stubborn. We chose the kākāpō to remind ourselves why we’re doing this. It’s a symbol of care, of the work that goes into protecting what makes Aotearoa New Zealand special and the responsibility to tread lightly. Our work is shaped by the idea that what we take from the land should, in some way, help to restore it.

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That’s why we are dedicated supporters of kākāpō recovery, and why we’re certified B Corp - so we’re held to account for the way we do things. We think good gin shouldn’t come at a cost to the places or people that make it possible. We have a Business for Good model committing to donate 10% of profit to support the hard mahi of kākāpō recovery.

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Every bottle we make carries a bit of Aotearoa in it, each flavour built around native botanicals that capture the spirit of this land. Juniper may be the backbone, but kawakawa, mānuka, and rimurimu bring depth, character, and a sense of place. We keep our batches small so we can give each one the attention it deserves.

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We’re not trying to change the world - just to do our part, one bottle at a time, and make something worth sharing.