Cast Glass - NZ pieces

We are proud to offer these new cast glass art pieces. Unlike blown-glass art objects, a cast glass piece is a superb, weighty piece of solid crystal glass.

Maori Glass Art Paddle

Cast glass is manufactured by a process that is technically complex to perfect. Solid crystal glass is heated to extremely hot temperatures so it becomes a liquid, and flows into a negative mould. The tricky part is cooling (or annealing) the glass in baby steps over a lengthy period of time so the outer edges of the piece never gets much cooler than the inside, as this would cause the piece to crack.

The resulting glass art is magnificent and very special. These three Maori glass pieces are a notable addition to our selection of glass art NZ gifts. Each comes nestled safely in a custom made wooden box.

Paddle detail

Paddle handle

Maori Waka Prow

Maori Waka

Maori Waka tail section

Cast glass Maori Kete

Postcards from Auckland

Postcards from Auckland Book

Giving Auckland gifts to those visiting Auckland from overseas, as mementos or conference gifts, or for anyone wanting to show off the magnificent City of Sails has just got a whole lot easier.  The recently published  Auckland scenery book "Postcards from Auckland" is jam packed with the 'picture perfect' images as you might find on postcards (each with a little caption), showing all the wonderful destinations in this diverse city. From downtown urban city images and across the city from Waiheke Island to the West Coast beaches, this book features all the placed loved by visitors and locals alike.

Postcards from Auckland is a quality hardback book, but in a smaller size, so easy to post or throw into your suitcase. Click here: Postcards from Auckland for more details.

Corporate customers should contact us to discuss quantity discounts and optional branding.

Business gifts for China

Trading with China and Chinese companies is increasingly a goal for many businesses, looking to capitalise on either the massive market opportunities or the low production costs on offer. New Zealanders relatively relaxed approach to business can lead us to vastly underestimate the cultural gulf which must be bridged in order to achieve success.

While all aspects of the cultural differences should be carefully researched by anyone wishing to trade succssfully with the Chinese, our focus is on Chinese business gifts.

The NZTE site offers a wealth of information, and we feel Michael Stedman of NHNZ  (the biggest foreign producer of documentaries in China) explains it well, saying  gift giving in China is one of his biggest headaches.

                “Gift giving is a social obligation but is governed by a lot of unwritten rules. I have been embarrassed by gifts I’ve seen some New Zealand companies give – things that are tatty and unwrapped.”

Among the gifts he takes are honey, Paua, and books, often including his branding on the wrapping. 

Mini Honey Gift Sets

Polished & Boxed Paua shell

Pocket size hardback books with your logo

You will find many more tips on our web-site, but some of our key tips include:

• Research your planned gifts (to ensure they are not "unlucky" or accidentally cause offence, which is easy to do)
• Ensure you have gifts for everyone, taking care to ensure your gifts reflect their rank in heirarchy
• Branding with your logo increases the 'mana' of your gifts (we can offer branding on books or gifts for very little extra).
• Ensure your gifts are beautifully wrapped in appropriate colours (we can help with this)

  

  Sample wrapping of gifts for Chinese recipients

  
  

Let us know if you need gifts for Chinese recipients, and we can help you bridge this part of the cultural gulf.

Little cheap Conference Gifts

Pair of Rimu Coasters

Little  cheap conference gifts....we supply a lot of gifts for conference delegates and speakers. By the time the budget has been blown on accomodation, travel, dining out, entertainment and more,  there is often not much left in the kitty for the delegate's gifts or even the speaker's gifts.

Wooden Bookmarks with Paua

Finding something, smallish, universally popular, tasteful and unique on a shoestring, that doesn't scream 'cheap' is a bit of a tricky ask, but there is always a solution.

Here's a few of the less expensive gifts we have on offer. You won't find many of them on our website, so give us a call or send through an email to discuss your requirements.

Magnetic Puzzles

Glass Platters and Coasters

Business Card Holder

 

Tea light candles in a lovely little glass holders

 

 

 

 

Petite jars of NZ Honey

  

Why your NZ business should care about Chinese New Year

Depending on where in New Zealand you live, you should be on the look-out for low flying dragons from late January onwards. Loud, and colourful, they are hard to miss, and one of the key features in celebrations of Chinese New Year.

Dragon Dance outside ASB Showgrounds, Auckland

 So why should your business in New Zealand care about Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year is the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar, and has been celebrated for centuries. Chinese New Year kicks off in late January or early February (varying according to the Lunar New Year), with celebrations continuing for two weeks. It is celebrated with gusto, including the loud and colourful dragon dances.

In Chinese legend, Buddha invited animals to a New Year's Celebration, and only 12 showed up. Now each year is named after one of these animals (e.g. Dragon, Snake, Horse, Pig, etc.)

It is a time for cleansing out the old,  for renewing and refreshing, taking holidays and spending time in celebration with friends and family.

Just as the tills ring in the western world as Christmas approaches, the approach of Chinese New Year is also very good for many businesses.

It is traditional to have a new outfit to see in the New Year,  meaning  purchasing not only new shoes and clothes for the whole family, but new hair cuts, and often other accessories like cosmetics as part of a mini-makover.

As families and friends gather for meals,  spend on groceries increases, and restaurants are busy. Food gifts like confectionary and fruits are given, and florists will benefit from an increase in floral displays.

Tradionally it is a holiday time, when people travel back to their home villages or to spend time with family. The travel industry can look to benefit from this increased activity too.

With Statistics New Zealand predicting the Asian population in NZ to increase from 400, 000 in 2006 to 790,000 in 2026 this traditional Chinese festival will impact upon many businesses. It is time to consider the potential this festival could present to your business, especially if you are in Auckland where the largest Asian population resides.

Those travelling to Asian countries on business will want to ensure they pack a few extra gifts into their bags. (We suggest food gifts, wrapped in 'lucky' colours of gold or red, like this gorgeous Chocolate selection) .

NZ Business Gifts for China

So take a new look at Chinese New Year, and look out for low flying noisy dragons.

The Art of the the Little Gift

New neighbours shifted in over the holiday period. A day later we answered a knock at our door, to find the new family there. They brought with them a very small gift of prettily packaged biscuits and a little card, saying "Hi, we have just shifted in next door, and wanted to introduce ourselves from...."

Despite  us wishing  we had got in first to welcome them, it was a wonderful reminder of how lovely even a very small gift can be. The pretty bag, the hand-written card expressing a genuine sentiment, and their smiles added up to a lot. 

In contrast to the expectation of gifts around Christmas time, the small but unexpected gestures like this, with a well-written card can mean a whole lot more.

New Zealand mohair snuggle Knee rugs

We like to call them 'snuggle rugs' because that says it all, but their official name is a ' mohair knee rug'

Luxurious Snuggle knee Rugs

 Perfectly sized to snuggle under, these smaller mohair knee rugs (100cm x 130cm) are luxuriously soft and downy,  and without the "itch" factor that wool can create for some people. Give one of these away, and it will instantly become a favourite, and they will think of you every time they snuggle under it.

 Made in NZ, this mohair is premium quality. The colour range is huge (40 colours), from gentle pastels to vibrant hues. Its is luxury at an affordable price.

Glass Art PiuPiu (Maori Glass Skirts)

Maori Glass Skirts

When I saw a friend's one of these stunning Maori glass art skirts I wanted to track them down. It made such a impact on the wall, yet is clearly a nod to NZ Maori's grass skirts.

So here they are; Beautiful NZ glass art skirts, created from kiln fired glass, and strung on woven flax.

Simply mount by pushing the knots over a little nail, and there it is for all to admire. Contemporary and simply stunning.

Perfect.....  as  a modern business or corporate gifts, to thank speakers, for visitors to NZ, as an egagement or house-warming.....or just treat yourself.

Branded Books

'The things I want to know are in books; my best friend

 is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read.'

                                                 Abraham Lincoln

Every year around this time of year, the head-scratching begins as to what might be a suitable gift for corporate clients and staff. A gift that is a quality product, that can be branded subtly, and that the recipient will keep for years....and that fits your budget perfectly.

The answer lies in a quality book, subtly branded, with your logo or message.

'Branded Books' was created especially to help companies create memorable gifts of books. For around the cost of a bottle of wine, a personalised book will carry your logo or message for years. And even if you choose not to brand the book, we can help with suggestions of suitable books, and superb gift wrapping all at great prices.

Branded Books is a part of New Zealand Showcase, but we have set up a website to better explain this service. Take a look at our new website, and browse the bookshelves. (Individual copies of most of  the books can also be purchased at New Zealand Showcase).

Remember we are just a phone-call or email away if you have any queries.

Off the Cuff

From Sterling Silver to cheeky and fun, our New Zealand cufflinks are always great gifts.

As a replacement for the ribbon or lace that men once used to keep their sleeves closed, cufflinks are now practical and decorative. From very special silver cufflinks, and sterling silver fern cufflinks, through to the ever popular North and South cufflinks (which make superb NZ souvenirs) and the more light hearted designs, we think there is something for everyone in our collection of New Zealand cufflinks. (NZ made of course!)

Pebbles Cufflinks

NZ Shell cufflinks

Moko Men Cufflinks

Sterling Silver Fern Cufflinks

Paua and Sterling Silver Cufflinks

North & South Cufflinks