Island Gin, the boutique distillery run entirely off-grid on Aotea (Great Barrier Island), has been named a finalist in the People’s Choice category of the Auckland Business Awards. Voting is now open to the public.
Founded by Andi Ross, Island Gin has carved out a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most distinctive premium spirits. From the beginning, Ross made sustainability the non-negotiable foundation of the brand. While nearly every other spirits company in the country sources bottles from offshore, she insisted Island Gin would only exist if they could be produced locally from recycled glass. It took three years to persuade Auckland manufacturer Visy, but the result was a bespoke bottle design inspired by the kina shell, made with 70% recycled New Zealand glass – a first for the industry.
Every element of production is designed with the island in mind. The distillery runs fully on solar power, batches are cut with harvested rainwater, and wild mānuka bush honey from Aotea gives the gin its characteristic depth. Even the packaging is designed for re-use or composting.
The business remains independent and bootstrapped, with no distributors and more than 150 retailers now stocking the brand nationwide. Alongside its growing direct-to-consumer sales, Island Gin has earned international recognition, including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Best in Country at the World Gin Awards in London, and the Innovation Trophy at the New Zealand Spirits Awards.
For Ross, being shortlisted in the People’s Choice Award marks another milestone. “Winning would mean the world to this independent brand making waves globally from an off-grid island, five hours east of Auckland,” she said.
Public voting is open online through the Auckland Business Chamber, with winners announced later this year.
