Right from the start of launching back in 2021, one of the cornerstones of my business was to give back and support the local communities by sponsorships and donations to worthwhile and important organisations, so every 750ml bottle of Woolshed and Shearwater gin sold, $3 has been donated.

Donation sales from the Shearwater gin have been gratefully received by the Kaikōura wildlife centre. The trusts organiser Sabrina takes in injured birds, treats them and releases them, money donated to this trust helps pay for accomodation for the birds whilst being treated, food and medication. I donate every year over $1500 and have recently become a silver donator supporter for the organisation.

Over the years, sales from the woolshed gin have gone to support recovery in Hawkes Bay after Cyclone Gabrielle, small sponsorships for local schools and charity in and around rural Kaikoura. The Kaikoura Dark Sky Trust caught my eye recently. This trust has been set up to look after our night skies in the Kaikoura district, this helps to protect, promote, and celebrate the precious night skies of Kaikōura, one of Aotearoa’s natural taonga. An upside of less light pollution is the effect it has on the Hutton Shearwater birds, known for becoming disorientated by the towns lights.

I have become a ‘Shearwater’ supporter and donate $1000 annually to this trust, this helps the team deliver events, raise awareness, enhance education around light pollution, and
preserve the night sky for future generations.

To date I have donated over $9000 in nearly 5 years to these organisations and other important local events and charities. Paying it forward and supporting local has always felt the right thing to do. I take from the land botanicals that I need to create my two story inspired gins and my homemade liqueurs, by giving back to the community I feel I am honouring my Kaitiakitanga promise.