Forget mass-produced chocolates and imported roses. This Valentine’s Day, gift a more meaningful way to share your love through the authentic flavours and stories of Aotearoa’s regions. Just as every love story is unique, each corner of New Zealand tells its own tale through artisanal treats crafted by passionate local producers.
Think about it: the region where you first met, the town where you shared your first home or the place you both dream of visiting together—these locations hold special meaning in your relationship. Now imagine capturing that connection through carefully curated local delicacies, each with its own story and made with Aroha by small businesses in that region.
At We Love Local, we believe Valentine’s Day should be all about meaningful connections instead of grand gestures. When you choose a regional gift box, you’re sending more than treats: you’re sharing a piece of New Zealand’s heart. You’re supporting real couples crafting extraordinary products together, strengthening local communities, and creating ripples of love that extend far beyond February 14th.
Join us as we explore how local love stories and flavours intertwine, creating gifts that mean more than just a moment of indulgence.
Behind the Love: Local Couples Creating Together
Behind many of We Love Local’s products in our gift boxes lies a tapestry of love stories and local couples who pour their hearts into creating extraordinary products together. It’s a journey we know well, as We Love Local itself blossomed from a love story.
When we started our little local delivery service called Kāpiti Goodies in 2018, we were driven by more than just business sense. Valerie, taking a break from hotel management to raise our child, was enchanted by the incredible artisans at local markets. Meanwhile, Timo’s background in the digital world provided the perfect complement to bring these local treasures online. Their shared vision of supporting small producers grew into what We Love Local is today—a celebration of regional flavours and community connection.
But they’re not alone in mixing business with pleasure. Throughout New Zealand, couples craft delicious products that make their way into our gift boxes. In Kāpiti, Mat and Lydia of Apostle Hot Sauce have been hand-crafting their award-winning hot sauces together for over 5 years, turning their shared passion for exceptional flavours into edible works of art. Up in Auckland, Nico and Emily Bonnaud of Honest Chocolat transform local ingredients into sweet treats, their love for each other reflected in every carefully prepared chocolate bar.
These partnerships show how love enriches everything it touches, from carefully selecting ingredients to thoughtfully preparing each product. When you send a We Love Local gift box, you’re not just sharing treats but becoming part of these love stories, supporting couples who’ve turned their shared dreams into reality.
Making it Personal: Choose Your Region
Make your gift meaningful by choosing treats from places close to your heart. Each regional gift box tells your unique story through local flavours, transforming beautiful products into personal memories.
Did your partner grow up in Canterbury? A gift box filled with treats from their home region shows you understand what matters to them. Perhaps you had your first date in Wellington? Recreate those memories with a carefully curated selection of capital city delights. Or maybe you’re dreaming together about exploring the sunny Nelson Tasman region? Send a taste of what’s to come with local artisan treats from the top of the South.
Make your gift even more meaningful by adding a handwritten note sharing why you chose that specific region. Better yet, turn it into an experience by planning a special evening around the contents. Create a tasting adventure together, sampling each item while sharing stories and memories of the region. For long-distance couples, arrange a virtual date night to unbox and enjoy the treats together. Remember, it’s these personal touches that transform a beautiful gift into a cherished memory.
Share the Love
Ready to send a piece of regional New Zealand to someone special this Valentine’s Day? Browse our thoughtfully curated gift boxes from across Aotearoa’s beautiful regions and create a meaningful moment that supports local communities.
Shop now and be part of a love story that stretches across New Zealand’s regions and supports our local food heroes.
