Our Pounamu: local business gems.
Taranaki businesses & organisations doing good things for us, and our planet.
List of Taranaki businesses and organisations doing some good (and great!) things to protect our taiao and reduce their environmental footprint.
💎 What is this? This article aims to highlight local Taranaki businesses and organisations going the extra mile when it comes to sustainability and protecting our taiao - nature.
💎 Can I submit a local business or organisation? YES, please! Anyone can submit a local business (or organisation) doing good things in that space! Please use our contact form here and explain why you think we should add them to the list.
💎 When do you update your article? We will update our article every month, just before we send our monthly pānui - newsletter.
You can subscribe here if you don’t want to miss our updates (and lots of great local events and opportunities).
💎 Who is making the call? Three people from our team will discuss and decide whether to add or not, new names to the list! We will not disclose the names of submissions not accepted.
💎 Why are we doing this? With this article and list, we want to highlight great local sustainable practices and inspire more to follow. We also want to invite all of us to support people with a kaupapa matching our vision: “all people in Taranaki embrace their part in handing a vibrant environment to the next generation”.
List of Taranaki Sustainable Pounamu - Gems
Latest update: June 2026 - Latest addition at the top - Submit local sustainable pounamu - gems here. (Please explain to us why!)
🪡 Stitch Up Society 💎, Ngāmotu - New Plymouth
With this local non-profit, Sam helps you to alter, mend or upcycle your textiles - and keep them out of landfill! She organises regular sessions and local workshops for all (including kids!). She has a big team of sewing machines for everyone to use! You can see what she does below!
→ Stitch Up Society on Facebook - Instagram - Email
🍞 Baked by Blanche, Hāwera & local markets
Making bread the old way, by hand and with passion! Baked by Blanche uses NZ-grown and milled wheat and makes bread entirely by hand. They use Taranaki products wherever possible and have recently opened the Good Score General Store in Hāwera, featuring locally sourced produce, specialty ingredients and OF COURSE, their sourdough bread and baked goods!
→ Follow Baked by Blanche on Facebook - Instagram
🧋 Slurpies Straws, Ōkato & local markets
Slurpies is offering reusable AND good-looking stainless steel straws. No more disposable straws needed! Pair it with your favourite reusable cup, and it’s perfect for the planet! You can shop online (link below) or find them at the Rūrū Market in Ōkato (more markets on their website).
→ www.slurpiesstraws.com
🧼 Your Home Naturally 💎 , Inglewood - (local markets & online shop)
Michelle offers NZ-made, natural cleaning products that use the non-toxic power of baking soda, Castile soap, cleaning-grade vinegar and pure essential oils. They prioritise reuse by using glass jars and spray reusable bottles over plastic disposable containers. They are also running regular workshops explaining how easy and great the switch to better cleaning solutions is.
→ www.yourhomenaturally.co.nz
👓 Judd Optician 💎 , Ngāmotu - New Plymouth
They are a locally owned and operated optician, taking donated frames, restoring them and offering them for free to new customers. You can find their “Green Wall” in their store, located at 17 King Street, New Plymouth. They also collect contact lenses and cases for recycling.
→ juddopticians.co.nz
🍕 The Rolling Pizza 💎 , Ngāmotu - New Plymouth
The Rolling Pizza is a local wood-fired pizza oven caravan, operating during the week all around Ngāmotu - New Plymouth and at local events in Taranaki. What is special about them? They care about reducing waste (and giving you discounts!). $1 off every pizza if you bring your own box, tray, plate, or anything that can hold your beautiful pizzas!
→ The Rolling Pizza on Facebook
🛒 On The House 💎, Taranaki
Since 2017, this local non-profit has been reducing food waste and feeding our local community. In 2025, they rescued 244 tonnes of food and fed over 13,500 households at their weekly Free Stores. They are now operating in Moturoa (New Plymouth), Bell Block, and Stratford.
→ onthehouse.org.nz
Next update in July 2026! Submit local sustainable pounamu - gems here. (Please explain to us why!)
