LITTLE LIMES, BIG AMBITIONS

Tucked along Omaha Flats Road, Matakana Finger Limes is quietly doing something no one else in New Zealand is doing at scale – and the results are finally ready to taste.

PASSION IN EVERY POUR - Omaha Gin

When a winemaker with 25 years of experience turns his hand to gin, the result is anything but accidental.

Slow Down, Sip Up

In the heart of Mangawhai Village, caifewhai has quietly found its place – one carefully roasted cup at a time. Caifewhai Mangawhai

A bold fusion of spice and sweetness is heating up the local food scene.

Tended by Marisia, Fable to Table is a small regenerative market garden grown from her home in Makarau – a place where magic happens in the soil each season.

We asked Tim Baker of Crop QT to share his advice on starting a home garden. As a regenerative grower specialising in no-dig, soil-first systems, Tim helps gardeners build productive spaces that work in harmony with the seasons.

At the edge of the Kaipara Harbour in Tapora, rows of avocado trees stretch across rich, sandy black soil, producing the fruit that inspired The Avo Keeper, a single-estate cold-pressed virgin avocado oil.

At Caretaker Farm in Whangateau, the land reflects nearly four decades of careful stewardship, where herbs, fruits and native ecosystems thrive side by side.

The Mangawhai Lions Food & Wine Festival is back for 2026, promising a day of delicious food, local wine, and community spirit.

Brick Bay has long been known for its sculpture trail and wines, but there’s another story unfolding quietly in the soil.

DONE WELL Unit Six is Waipu’s newest café destination, bringing a familiar philosophy to a fresh setting.

A sudden change of direction has seen Amara pop up on Matakana’s main street with Canned Matakana – quickly becoming the drink of the summer.

A shared love of food, tradition, and community has seen this Waipubased couple quietly build a loyal following through handcrafted baking and heartfelt connection.

Blueberry Country – Waipu is the newest addition to New Zealand’s largest family-owned blueberry orchard group.

In the heart of Snells Beach, where the sea breeze carries a salty tang, a new aroma is competing for attention: the unmistakable scent of freshly baked pizza.

Launching this summer, Lupa is a fresh, modern take on aperitivo culture – elevating the ritual of a great drink, no alcohol required.

From simple afternoon snacks to a growing local business, Joelene McKewen is bringing joy and pancakes to the Wellsford community with Loaded.Dessert Bar.

Introducing NUSHD, a destination for nourishment, making healthy and delicious choices simple for everyday life.

Nestled in the foothills of the Brynderyn Mountains, Olives on the Hill is where Chris and Linda Smith combine their passion for olive growing with support for New Zealand’s olive industry.

At Mangawhai’s estuary on North Avenue sits a charming pastel caravan that feels like something from a summertime memory, and that’s exactly the point.