Huckleberry stores are fast becoming the go-to destination for the health conscious in New Zealand. A pioneer of ethical consumerism, Huckleberry is dedicated to making organic food, natural living and wellness education accessible to all.
Information is key to the Huckleberry experience. Larger format stores offer certified naturopaths, and it’s knowledgeable staff who assist consumers in feeling well informed when it comes to making healthier choices.
Huckleberry is committed to supporting products that are genuinely organic and naturally produced. Chief executive Richard Lees explains, “We’re constantly reviewing our own standards and practices, in some cases actively taking product off the shelves if it doesn’t measure up. Some suppliers are saying, ‘Okay, what can we do to get back on board?’ And they’ll work to raise their standards too. It becomes a collaborative effort.”
We’re in the midst of a global wellness revolution and Huckleberry is helping the country join the fray. “New Zealand is still on the upward climb, but in the United States and Europe they’re mostly over the growth hump and holistic living and wellness are more mainstream,” says Richard.
Richard, who is also on the board of Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ), says, “People are looking for organic and natural alternatives to processed and chemically produced food. There’s a growing demand, but there’s also a lack of education in the public arena.”
With no regulations in New Zealand at present, manufacturers are free to label a product ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ even if it only contains very minimal organic ingredients. “OANZ, representing a wide cross section of the organics sector in New Zealand is working with the government to develop a set of national standards for organics—currently it’s mostly unregulated—people need to be able to trust what they’re buying,” says Richard.
Huckleberry is in growth mode, and it all started with the iconic Harvest store in Grey Lynn 36 years ago. As well as Harvest, Huckleberry now has stores in Parnell, Herne Bay, Milford, New Lynn, Royal Oak, Glen Innes, Napier, Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and most recently, Browns Bay.
With a quirky, playful aesthetic, community focus, and a down-to-earth approach, Brown’s Bay is set to be Huckleberry’s most comprehensive lifestyle offering yet.
Alongside their extensive product range, the Clyde Road store will feature a large yoga studio (The Nest), an organic café, naturopathy services, and The Refill Hub—encouraging customers to bring their own containers when shopping for organic bulk items, including ecostore cleaning products.
Having a commitment to sustainability, nourishing organic foods and an intimate shopping experience complete with sustainable packaging and helpful tips at every turn, Huckleberry’s health hubs are most certainly on the up.
Find out more about Huckleberry and The Nest here: huckleberry.co.nz / the-nest.co.nz
Words: Jenna Moore
huckleberry.co.nz / the-nest.co.nz
