The Hive NZ is your direct gateway to the very best small businesses across Aotearoa. We are more than just an online store; we are a vendor-powered movement designed to make “shopping small” easy, secure, and impactful. When you shop on The Hive, you aren’t just browsing a website—you are walking through a digital marketplace filled with the passion and hard work of hundreds of Kiwi entrepreneurs.
Why choose The Hive NZ?
- Support Real Kiwi Families: Every dollar you spend goes directly to the business owner. There’s no “corporate middleman” here—your purchase helps a local maker, creator, or service provider thrive.
- Unique, Quality Finds: Discover a curated range of products you won’t find in big-box retailers. From handmade crafts and boutique fashion to specialized local services and digital downloads, everything is uniquely Kiwi.
- Shop with Confidence: We use Stripe, a world-leading secure payment gateway, so your data is always protected. Plus, because our vendors are the heart of the platform, you can message them directly with any questions before or after you buy.
- Direct Delivery: Every physical product on our marketplace is sent from within New Zealand, meaning faster shipping times and a smaller carbon footprint.
When you shop at The Hive NZ, you are choosing to keep your money within our communities. You bring the support; our vendors bring the brilliance.
Would you like to read more about our history etc.? please have a look at our ABOUT US PAGE
Shop on The Hive and help small businesses THRIVE!
Get 10% off on all your orders when you subscribe to our Facebook page. For only $1.69 a month you get this discount, subscriber only specials, other discounts AND giveaways!
The Hive NZ is 100% Kiwi-owned and operated. Every single business you see on our marketplace is located right here in beautiful New Zealand.
When you shop with us, you are buying directly from local makers, creators, and service providers. This means your order is being packed and sent with care from a New Zealand address, supporting our local economy and families.
Can I send items to friends or family overseas?
Yes! While we are local at heart, our vendors have the world at their fingertips. Many of our vendors have their stores set up to ship globally. Whether a vendor ships to a specific country depends on their individual store settings.
- Check the Checkout: When you add an item to your cart and add an overseas delivery address (outside of New Zealand) to the checkout, the available shipping destinations will be shown based on that vendor’s specific rules.
- Can’t see your country? If you’ve fallen in love with a product but your country isn’t listed in the shipping options, don’t worry! You can reach out to the vendor directly. Simply use the ‘Contact Vendor’ button on the product listing or via their store profile.
- Custom Solutions: Our vendors are real people and are often more than happy to give you a custom shipping quote to get their products to you, wherever you are in the world.
In short: We are proudly based in Aotearoa, but we love helping Kiwi brilliance reach every corner of the globe.
Please note; Global postage costs fluctuate heavily currently. As a result, many vendors choose not to offer automated overseas rates at checkout. Contacting the vendor directly gives you the best chance to arrange overseas delivery. Your vendor can calculate an exact quote, though international freight costs remain high.
Yes, your safety is our priority. We have designed The Hive NZ to be a secure environment for both shoppers and sellers:
- Direct Communication: You can contact vendors directly through our secure internal messaging system. Keeping all messages safely on record protects your purchase. It allows our support team to mediate and help you quickly whenever needed.
- Secure Payments: We use Stripe, a world-leading payment processor, so your credit card details are encrypted and never stored by us.
- Verified Vendors: We work closely with our community of vendors to ensure a high standard of service and authenticity.
- NZ Law Protection: Because we only host New Zealand-based businesses, you are always protected by the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act.
You can discover almost anything on our platform! We are proud to showcase the full range of Kiwi talent. This means you can buy unique physical products, secure wholesale orders, or place bids on exciting live auction listings from local makers.
Beyond physical goods, you can also hire talented local professionals.
Our virtual village welcomes independent service providers, including photographers, designers, and tutors. Whatever you need, you can find a passionate Kiwi business ready to deliver.
Yes, absolutely! Our marketplace features a wonderful range of non-physical items. You can purchase instant digital downloads, such as art prints, knitting patterns, or planners, which you can download immediately after checkout.
We also offer virtual products for custom-designed items. These are personalised digital assets created especially for you and sent by the vendor at a later date once the design process is complete.
Yes, absolutely! One of the best things about shopping at The Hive NZ is the ability to work directly with our talented creators to get exactly what you need.
Whether you want a product in a different colour, a specific size, or a completely bespoke creation made from scratch, many of our vendors love taking on custom requests.
How it works:
- Start a Conversation: Use the ‘Contact Vendor’ button on any product listing or store pageStore PageDefinition A store page on The Hive NZ is a seller's dedicated storefront within the marketplace. It houses all of that individual vendor's products, branding, and business information in one central location. Explanation Think of a store page like an individual shop inside a large indoor artisan market or shopping arcade. While the market itself brings in the foot traffic and shoppers, your store page is the specific shopfront with your name on the sign. Inside your store page, customers can view your unique bio, browse your entire product catalogue, and learn what makes your brand special, all without seeing competing items from other sellers. to discuss your ideas.
- Get a Quote: The vendor will let you know if they can fulfil your request and provide you with a price and a timeframe.
- Your Private Listing: Once you have registered a customer account, the vendor can create a private custom order specifically for you.
- Easy Purchase: This listing is only visible to you. You can purchase it just like a regular product, with all the correct shipping and custom details already applied to the checkout.
Why register for a custom order? By creating a free customer account, you make it easy for vendors to link a private order directly to your profile. It ensures your special request is handled securely and that you have a record of the conversation and the order details in your dashboard.
From personalised gifts to tailored services, if you can dream it, our vendors can likely create it!
At The Hive NZ, you have a direct line to the experts. Because every product on our marketplace is listed by an independent Kiwi business owner, you don’t have to settle for generic answers from a middleman. You can talk directly to the person who knows the product best—the creator themselves!
Getting in touch is easy:
- Use the ‘Contact Vendor’ Button: On every product listing page, you’ll find a “Contact Vendor” button. Simply click this to send a message directly to that business owner.
- Ask Anything: Whether you need more details on sizing, want to know about custom colours, or need to check if a service can be tailored to your needs, our vendors are happy to help.
- Personalised Service: Our vendors pride themselves on their craft and their community. By reaching out, you’re often starting a conversation with a passionate entrepreneur who is more than happy to go the extra mile for you.
Shopping small means getting a personal touch. If you have a question, just ask—the person behind the brand is ready to help!
Please note: To comply with our terms and conditions, all orders must be completed through our secure checkout. Because you discovered these amazing local creators here, the sale must go through our platform. Keeping your transaction within the marketplace also ensures secure processing and allows us to provide customer support or mediation if required.
While you are welcome to shop as a guest, creating a free Hive NZ customer account makes your shopping experience much smoother!
- How to Sign Up: Click on the ‘Register’ or ‘Sign In’ icon at the top of the page. You only need an email address to get started.
- The Benefits:
- Discounts: get coupon codes with discounts – especially if you are a subscriber on our Facebook page; 10% off every order!
- Order History: Easily track your past and current purchases in one place.
- Direct Messaging: Chat directly with vendors through your dashboard.
- Custom Orders: Receive and purchase private, bespoke listings created just for you.
- Verified Reviews: Share your feedback on products to help other shoppers and support local makers.
- Faster Checkout: Save your details for a quicker experience next time you find something you love.
Get 10% off on all your orders when you subscribe to our Facebook page. For only $1.69 a month you get this discount, subscriber only specials, other discounts AND giveaways!
Everyone loves a bargain! On The Hive NZ, there are two ways you can save while supporting local:
1. Automatic Store Discounts (Spend & Save)
Many of our vendors offer “Spend & Save” incentives. For example, a shop might offer 10% off when you spend over $50 in their store.
- Automatic Savings: You don’t need to do a thing! These discounts apply automatically once your cart reaches the required amount.
- Helpful Reminders: When you view your cart, our system will intelligently tell you exactly how much more you need to spend with that specific vendor to unlock their discount. It’s a great way to see if adding one more small item to your order could actually save you money!
2. Using a Coupon Code
If you have a specific discount code from a vendor’s social media or a Hive-wide promotion:
- View Your Cart: Before you proceed to payment, head to your cart summary.
- Apply Code: Locate the “Coupon Code” box, enter your code exactly as it appears, and click Apply.
- Check the Total: Ensure the discount is reflected in your total before completing the checkout.
Please Note: Most discounts and coupons are set by individual vendors and apply only to items from their specific shop. If a code isn’t working, check the expiry date or message the vendor directly via the ‘Contact Vendor’ button.
Get 10% off on all your orders when you subscribe to our Facebook page. For only $1.69 a month you get this discount, subscriber only specials, other discounts AND giveaways!
Shopping with The Hive NZ is simple, secure, and supports local creators directly.
When you find that perfect item, you can pay for your order using any major debit or credit card OR Afterpay. To ensure your financial information is protected to the highest standard, we use Stripe—a world-leading payment gateway recognised globally for its ironclad security.
- Direct Support: Your payment goes directly to our vendors. This means the small business owner has instant access to your order and funds, allowing them to get started on your delivery or service right away.
- Bank-Level Security: We never see or store your credit card details. Stripe handles the transaction – even when you choose AfterpayAfterpayDefinition Afterpay is a "buy now, pay later" service that allows customers to purchase products immediately and pay for them over four equal interest-free instalments. Explanation Think of Afterpay like a modern layby, but with one major difference: the customer gets to take the item home right away instead of waiting until it is fully paid off. For shoppers, the total cost is split into four payments due every two weeks. For marketplace sellers, Afterpay pays you the full amount upfront (minus a processing fee), while Afterpay takes on the job of collecting the remaining instalments from the buyer. Offering it on your store page helps attract customers who prefer flexible payment options.sign up for Afterpay → – with advanced encryption, so you can shop with total peace of mind.
- Empowering Small Business: We offer flexible plans for our vendors, including a free option where they only pay a small success fee when they make a sale. This ensures that even the smallest Kiwi start-up can afford to reach a wider audience without high overheads.
When you click ‘Pay’ on The Hive NZ, you aren’t just buying a product; you are putting money directly into the hands of a hard-working New Zealander.
Yes, we have Afterpay available to all eligible countries. You will find this payment option at checkout.
Yes, absolutely! You can fill your cart with treasures from many different vendors across New Zealand and pay for them all in one single, secure checkout.
Because The Hive NZ is a marketplace of independent businesses rather than a single warehouse, please keep these points in mind:
- Separate Shipments: Each vendor packs and posts their own items. If you buy from two different creators, your items will arrive in separate parcels, often at different times.
- Split Shipping in Your Cart: When you view your cart or checkout, you will see the shipping costs split up. Each shipping line is clearly labelled with the name of the vendor it belongs to.
- Total Shipping Costs: Your total shipping is the sum of each vendor’s individual fee. This is because your items are being sent from different locations across the country.
Why does shipping look higher in my cart? If the total seems higher than expected, it is usually because you are supporting multiple small businesses at once. Think of it like visiting several boutique shops in one trip. Each shop has its own way of getting their unique products to your door!
Get 10% off on all your orders when you subscribe to our Facebook page. For only $1.69 a month you get this discount, subscriber only specials, other discounts AND giveaways!
we – The Hive NZ – are a marketplace; small New Zealand based businesses sell their products/service on our website. If the total shipping fee you see at checkout seems higher than expected, it is usually because you are supporting multiple small businesses, in your order, at once.
Think of it like visiting several boutique shops in one trip. Each shop has its own way of getting their unique products to your door!
Get 10% off on all your orders when you subscribe to our Facebook page. For only $1.69 a month you get this discount, subscriber only specials, other discounts AND giveaways!
At The Hive NZ, shipping is as unique as the products themselves. We are a collective of independent Kiwi creators, so there is no single “Hive courier.” Instead, each individual vendor chooses and manages the shipping methods that best suit their products.
Tailored Shipping Options When you add items to your cart, you will see the specific delivery options offered by each vendor. Some vendors offer standard post or tracked couriers, while others provide express delivery or free local pickup. You will always see a clear breakdown of shipping costs when you view your cart and at final checkout.
What does “No shipping available for this location” mean? If this message appears at checkout, the vendor has not set up a shipping rule for your region yet. This often happens with international or very rural addresses.
Don’t give up on your order just yet! Our vendors are real people who love helping their products find a home.
- Contact the Vendor: Use the Contact Vendor button on the product page or store profile.
- Ask for a Custom Quote: Request a custom shipping price for your location. Vendors will often find a way to get your parcel delivered. You will need to be logged into your customer account to ask for custom order quotes.
Our secure internal messaging system keeps all chats safely on record. This ensures our support team can easily step in and assist if you ever need help or mediation.
Please note: To comply with our terms and conditions, all orders must be completed through our secure checkout. Because you discovered these amazing local creators here, the sale must go through our platform. Keeping your transaction within the marketplace also ensures secure processing and allows us to provide customer support or mediation if required.
We love sharing Kiwi brilliance with the world! We absolutely welcome orders from across the globe.
Because The Hive NZ is a collective of independent businesses, each vendor has the choice to decide which regions or countries they ship to. Some are set up for worldwide delivery, while others may currently only ship within New Zealand.
How to order from overseas:
- Check the Checkout: When you add an item to your cart, the shipping options will show you if that vendor already has your country set up.
- Request a Custom Quote: If your country isn’t listed, don’t worry! You can contact any vendor directly using the ‘Contact Vendor’ button on their product page or store profile. Many are more than happy to provide a custom shipping quote just for you.
Please note; Global postage costs fluctuate heavily currently. As a result, many vendors choose not to offer automated overseas rates at checkout. Contacting the vendor directly gives you the best chance to arrange overseas delivery. Your vendor can calculate an exact quote, though international freight costs remain high.
Our marketplace operates on an immediate “dispatch upon payment” model. The moment you complete your secure checkout, your payment processes instantly through Stripe and goes directly to the vendor.
Because payment is instant, the vendor receives their official order notification right away. This serves as their immediate green light to start packaging your items or crafting your custom designs.
If you have purchased a custom, made-to-order product, please note that turnaround times vary. We encourage our vendors to outline these custom processing times directly inside their product descriptions or shipping tabs.
Our vendors do not need to wait for traditional bank clearances, ensuring your order is handled promptly and efficiently.
Because The Hive NZ is a marketplace of independent businesses, each vendor handles their own shipping and fulfilment. When you place an order, the details go directly to the business owner, who is responsible for getting your items to you within the timeframe listed on the listing/store page.
If you are wondering about the status of your parcel, here is the best way to get an answer:
- If you have a Hive Account: Log in to your Customer Dashboard and head to the Orders tab. From there, you can view your order status and message the vendor directly regarding that specific purchase.
- If you checked out as a Guest: You can still contact the vendor easily! Simply go to the product page of the item you bought or the vendor’s main store page and use the ‘Contact Vendor’ button.
- Check your Inbox: Most vendors will send a confirmation email or tracking number once your item is on its way. Be sure to check your junk or spam folder just in case!
A Note on Our Role: When you buy on our website, the agreement is directly between you and the vendor. As a marketplace, The Hive NZ provides the platform and tools for these transactions but does not handle the physical stock or shipping ourselves.
However, we are committed to a safe community. If you have already tried to resolve an issue with a vendor and believe they are not meeting their obligations under New Zealand law, please let us know. While we cannot guarantee a specific outcome, we will do our best to help facilitate a resolution.
Because our vendors handle their own logistics, your tracking information will come directly from the business you purchased from.
Here is how you can find your tracking details once your order has been dispatched:
- Check Your Shipping Choice: Please note that tracking is only available if you selected a tracked shipping option at checkout. If you chose an untracked economy service, a tracking number will not be generated.
- Notification Email: Once the vendor has sent your parcel, they will update your order in our system. You will usually receive an automated email containing the tracking number and the courier service used.
- If you have a Hive Account: Log in to your Customer Dashboard and head to the Orders tab. If the vendor has added a tracking number, it will be listed right there within to your order details.
- If you checked out as a Guest: You can contact the vendor directly to ask for an update. Simply go to the product listing you purchased or the vendor’s store page and use the ‘Contact Vendor’ button.
Need more information? If your order is taking longer than expected or the tracking hasn’t been updated, the best person to speak with is the vendor. They are the ones who personally packaged your item and handed it to the courier, so they will have the most up-to-date information for you.
You can find who you ordered from
- in your order confirmation email,
- in your orders page if you are a registered customer,
- you can find the product you ordered and use the contact vendor button
- or view our full Vendor List here to find the shop you ordered from.
Absolutely. Every independent business selling on The Hive NZ must legally comply with the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA).
Because our marketplace connects you directly with independent creators, your purchase contract is made directly between you and the vendor. The vendors act entirely on their own behalf. While The Hive NZ does not take legal responsibility for individual sales, your consumer rights are fully protected by law.
If a dispute ever arises, we are always happy to offer informal mediation to help resolve the issue fairly, though we cannot guarantee a specific outcome.
You can learn more about your rights on the Consumer Protection website.
If you need to cancel an order, please contact the vendor as soon as possible. Because our vendors are small businesses, many begin preparing or packaging your order almost immediately.
- Requesting a Cancellation: Use the ‘Contact Vendor’ button on their store page or via your Customer Dashboard > Orders tab.
- Vendor Policies: Each vendor may have a different cut-off time for cancellations, especially for custom-made or perishable items. Cancellations based on change of mind are generally denied.
- Refunds: If the vendor agrees to the cancellation, they will process your refund through their own banking – as your order payment has already gone to them – you will need to provide them your bank account details. Please note that once an item has been dispatched, it can no longer be cancelled and would fall under the vendor’s standard return policy.
Your feedback helps our small businesses grow! Leaving a product review and leaving a store review are two separate steps. We highly encourage you to complete both to support your favourite makers.
To leave your reviews, you must be logged into the customer account you used during checkout. Please note that guest checkouts cannot submit ratings.
How to do it on your end:
Log into your account on The Hive NZ and open your Orders tab.
Step One (Product Review): Click the specific product name, scroll to the reviews tab, and submit your rating. If the product gets removed, your review will be removed with it.
Step Two (Store Review): Go back to your order, click the vendor’s shop name, and leave a review on their main store page. Your review for this store will remain live as long as the store is active on The Hive NZ.
For Guest Checkouts:
If you placed your order as a guest, you won’t be able to leave a review directly on the marketplace site. However, we would still love to hear about your experience! You can leave a public review on The Hive NZ’s Trustpilot page. This helps us grow the collective and shows the world how great our Kiwi vendors are.
Share the Love: Whether it’s the beautiful packaging or the quality of the craft, your words make a huge difference to a small business.
Didn’t have a 5-star experience? We always suggest messaging the vendor through the “Contact Vendor” button first. Most Kiwi business owners appreciate the chance to fix a mistake or address a concern before a public review is posted.
While product reviews go directly to our vendors, we also love hearing what you think of The Hive NZ as a platform! Your feedback helps us improve the experience for both shoppers and small businesses.
- Trustpilot: You can leave a public review of your experience with our marketplace on our Trustpilot page.
- Contact Us: If you have a suggestion for a new feature or want to share a positive experience you had with our team, please use our main Contact Form. We are a Kiwi-owned business very small business ourself, and we truly value every piece of feedback from our community.
Didn’t have a 5-star experience? We always suggest messaging the vendor through the “Contact Vendor” button first. Most Kiwi business owners appreciate the chance to fix a mistake or address a concern before a public review is posted.
We are so sorry to hear that your order hasn’t arrived in perfect condition.
Because The Hive NZ is a marketplace of independent Kiwi businesses, you have purchased your item directly from the maker or seller. They are responsible for the quality of their goods and the safe arrival of your order.
Here is the best way to resolve the issue quickly:
- Step 1: Contact the Vendor Immediately. Your first point of contact is the business owner you ordered from.
- If you have an account: Log in to your Customer Dashboard > Orders tab and message the vendor directly from that specific order.
- If you checked out as a guest: Go to the vendor’s store page or the original product listing and use the ‘Contact Vendor’ button.
- Step 2: Provide Evidence. To help the vendor resolve this with their courier or insurance, it is very helpful to take photos of the damaged item and the packaging it arrived in. Attach these to your message so they can see exactly what has happened.
- Step 3: Know Your Rights. All vendors on The Hive NZ are bound by the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act. If a product arrives faulty or damaged, you are entitled to a remedy—this could be a repair, a replacement, or a refund, depending on the situation.
Our Community Standard: Our vendors take great pride in their work and their reputation. In almost every case, they will work quickly to make things right. If you have tried to resolve the issue with the vendor and are not getting a response, please reach out to the The Hive NZ team, and we will do our best to facilitate a conversation..
Because The Hive NZ is home to many different independent creators, each shop manages its own return and refund policy. This allows our vendors to set rules that make sense for their specific products—for example, a custom-made piece of jewellery may have different rules than a ready-to-ship item.
- Check the Policy: Before you buy, you can view the vendor’s specific return policy on their store page.
- Contact the Vendor: If you need to return an item, the first step is to message the vendor directly. You can do this via your Customer Dashboard > Orders tab (if you have an account) or the ‘Contact Vendor’ button on their store page.
- Your Rights: Regardless of individual store policies, all vendors on The Hive NZ are required to follow the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act. This means if an item is faulty or not as described, you are entitled to a remedy.
Pro Tip: Clear communication is key! Our vendors are small business owners who value their reputation, so they will usually work hard to ensure you are happy with your experience.
The independent vendor you purchased from handles all customer service directly. Because you are buying from local creators, you get to speak directly with the business owner using the “Contact Vendor” button on their shop page.
If you have questions about product materials, sizing, safety standards, or specific business regulations, please message the vendor directly. Every business on our platform must comply with all relevant New Zealand trading and safety laws. If you need a return or a refund, the vendor will handle this according to their store policy, which must align with your legal rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
Please note: To comply with our terms and conditions, all communication and transactions must remain on our website so we can provide mediation support if needed.