Kava In Hamilton, New Zealand?
- Thread starter NZdude
- Start date
Aceofwands9
Kava Enthusiast
The Kava Society is located in NZ. They are a kavaforums approved vendor so just keep scrolling down on the forums page thru the kava suppliers until you see it.
NZdude
Kava Curious
Thanks, I know about the kava society, there kava is the best, but sooo expensive, that for me i can only afford it on special occasions. It would also nice to be able to go into a shop when i want some rather than wait days for it to arrive in the post, which is why i was hoping there would be some in Hamilton.
nabanga
Kava Enthusiast
As with Auckland, any Fijian indian dairy usually has some under or behind the counter - just ask. If they don't have any then their mate round the corner will. I have also bought from Tongans on Trademe in Hamilton before - although about 15 years ago. The quality is usually poorer though - the Kava Society may be more expensive but I think for "effect per dollar" it is the better option. When I left Auckland 15 years ago I would buy 100g bags of Fijian kava for $5, so even back then it was $50/kg, probably over $100/kg now for hit-and miss quality.
You should check Trademe regularly - I used to pick up unused reasonable quality wedding kava from Samoan/Tongan wedding parties for very cheap. At the moment I see someone in Auckland is selling 500g of Savusavu for NZ$65, next day delivery. But for just NZ$25 more you can get 500g of Kava Society Pacific Elixir which is an excellent all rounder with no risk. Sell your TV and buy a few kilos.
You should check Trademe regularly - I used to pick up unused reasonable quality wedding kava from Samoan/Tongan wedding parties for very cheap. At the moment I see someone in Auckland is selling 500g of Savusavu for NZ$65, next day delivery. But for just NZ$25 more you can get 500g of Kava Society Pacific Elixir which is an excellent all rounder with no risk. Sell your TV and buy a few kilos.
Plantacious
Kava Enthusiast
I would imagine it shouldn't be hard to find kava in NZ.
There seems to be a strong inter-social, cultural, and migrating link between NZ and the South Pacific islands that are famous for growing kava.
I know that doesn't help you with specific avenues, to answer your question. But just sayin, be hopeful about it !
There seems to be a strong inter-social, cultural, and migrating link between NZ and the South Pacific islands that are famous for growing kava.
I know that doesn't help you with specific avenues, to answer your question. But just sayin, be hopeful about it !
NZdude
Kava Curious
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I started drinking kava 13 years ago, buying dairy kava (corner shop kava for those not in nz). After a couple of years i bought some good quality kava from the states and then GHK, i was amazed at the difference. I have almost never bought dairy kava again. On the occasions i have bout dairy kava, i might as well have thrown $10 down the drain.
As i said i love kava society, kava doesn't get any better, However, when GST + shipping & handling, it becomes super expensive, and instead of "just $25 more" it's actually more like $45 more! So i do order it occasionally when i have extra money. Its like going to the supermarket and buying wine. I wish i had the money to buy award winning wine every time (not a big drinker any way), but i dont, so i buy an ok quality wine on sale for $12-$15, because that is all i can afford, but it's fine.
However there are cheaper alternatives, I like wakanavu in NZ, they do a wide variety, high quality, and a good price. I wished they had a shop in Hamilton
Thanks for the tips on the trademe stuff, i see that savusavu, not sure I'll try it, so much bad kava comes out of Fiji to nz.
NZdude
Kava Curious
Thanks, yes plenty of kava in NZ, just wondered if anyone knew of any in Hamilton.
Plantacious
Kava Enthusiast
Do they, or can they, grow kava easily in NZ ?
Just curious, because its location seems to be in reasonably close proximity to the other Pacific islands that regularly grow it.
NZdude
Kava Curious
I have seen kava plants for sale. NZ isn't tropical, the northern part is subtropical-ish with many parts there with frost free days in the winter, but from my understanding you need a true tropical climate to grow it easily. I have heard of some people growing it, just takes more care than growing it in its natural climate, but those people grow it for themselves, and all the kava for sale is imported that i have ever seen.
Plantacious
Kava Enthusiast
Thanks ! I guess my Geography and Biology isn't quite as good as I thought it was
NZdude
Kava Curious
It's similar distance north like going from Miami to Indianapolis.
Thanks for the kind words. Sadly, we can't avoid having to add GST As for shipping, we offer free NZ shipping on bigger orders.
As you know and noted, we specialise in importing exclusively high end, top quality kava and single cultivars. All of our kava is harvested to our order and made to our specificiations. Every batch is processed straight from green kava, as soon after harvest as possible (usually within 12-24 hours), all is meticulously washed and peeled, all is dried in temperature controlled dehydrators, all is tested for microbial contamination etc, all is guaranteed to be 100% pure kava roots. We import it in small batches via airfreight, pack it in an MPI registered and certified facilities,etc.
This means higher costs and I totally understand that some people might prefer cheaper options. Just like with coffee, wine etc. It's nice to drink freshly and expertly roasted, clean, single origin coffee beans, but sometimes one is happy with standard supermarket coffee, and at other times one just wants a bit of a caffeine hit and will be happy to just grab some gas station coffee, or make a cup with some cheap instant coffee powder.
In theory, we could source and offer cheaper, lower quality kava, but since there are HEAPS of such options around NZ and as the Kava Society is more of a hobby/part time thing for us, we prefer to just stick to our high quality niche.
Anyway, coming back to your original question, you can buy "Green Gold Kava" (Fijian kava that is sold in Anerica under a few different names) from 'Forever Young' shop in Center Place, Hamilton CBD near the food court. Local drinkers claim it's probably the best Fijian kava in Hamilton.
As for shipping, we offer free NZ shipping on bigger orders.As you know and noted, we specialise in importing exclusively high end, top quality kava and single cultivars. All of our kava is harvested to our order and made to our specificiations. Every batch is processed straight from green kava, as soon after harvest as possible (usually within 12-24 hours), all is meticulously washed and peeled, all is dried in temperature controlled dehydrators, all is tested for microbial contamination etc, all is guaranteed to be 100% pure kava roots. We import it in small batches via airfreight, pack it in an MPI registered and certified facilities,etc.
This means higher costs and I totally understand that some people might prefer cheaper options. Just like with coffee, wine etc. It's nice to drink freshly and expertly roasted, clean, single origin coffee beans, but sometimes one is happy with standard supermarket coffee, and at other times one just wants a bit of a caffeine hit and will be happy to just grab some gas station coffee, or make a cup with some cheap instant coffee powder.
In theory, we could source and offer cheaper, lower quality kava, but since there are HEAPS of such options around NZ and as the Kava Society is more of a hobby/part time thing for us, we prefer to just stick to our high quality niche.
Anyway, coming back to your original question, you can buy "Green Gold Kava" (Fijian kava that is sold in Anerica under a few different names) from 'Forever Young' shop in Center Place, Hamilton CBD near the food court. Local drinkers claim it's probably the best Fijian kava in Hamilton.
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NZdude
Kava Curious
Thanks for the info on those two Hamilton places, I'll look into it. Im glad you don't stock cheaper lower quality kava, because i know if i want the very best, i can choose any of yours and they will not disappoint. It's just I am on the poorer side of rich most of the timeThanks for the kind words. Sadly, we can't avoid having to add GST
As you know and noted, we specialise in importing exclusively high end, top quality kava and single cultivars. All of our kava is harvested to our order and made to our specificiations. Every batch is processed straight from green kava, as soon after harvest as possible (usually within 12-24 hours), all is meticulously washed and peeled, all is dried in temperature controlled dehydrators, all is tested for microbial contamination etc, all is guaranteed to be 100% pure kava roots. We import it in small batches via airfreight, pack it in an MPI registered and certified facilities,etc.
This means higher costs and I totally understand that some people might prefer cheaper options. Just like with coffee, wine etc. It's nice to drink freshly and expertly roasted, clean, single origin coffee beans, but sometimes one is happy with standard supermarket coffee, and at other times one just wants a bit of a caffeine hit and will be happy to just grab some gas station coffee, or make a cup with some cheap instant coffee powder.
In theory, we could source and offer cheaper, lower quality kava, but since there are HEAPS of such options around NZ and as the Kava Society is more of a hobby/part time thing for us, we prefer to just stick to our high quality niche.
Anyway, coming back to your original question, I have heard people suggesting two sources of reportedly decent Fijian kava in Hamilton. I might be mistaken, but I've been told the Super T-Shirt Warehouse shop (Te Awa, The Base, Hamilton) might be stocking Green Gold Kava from Fiji (which is sold under other brands in America). Another option might be the "Kava Root Hale" (google it), which is like a kava event place, but they also sell some Fijian kava.
Plantacious
Kava Enthusiast
Thanks for the kind words. Sadly, we can't avoid having to add GST
Thanks for the info on those two Hamilton places, I'll look into it. Im glad you don't stock cheaper lower quality kava, because i know if i want the very best, i can choose any of yours and they will not disappoint. It's just I am on the poorer side of rich most of the time
I have a question for you all in New Zealand. Is there anything you can tell me about a plant called Pukatea, that seems to grow almost exclusively there
Just curious about it
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GreenGoldKavaNZ
Premium Noble Fijian Kava in NZ
Bula All.
We have the Green Gold Kava for supply all across New Zealand.
Feel free to drop us a note or DM us online.
Vinaka
We have the Green Gold Kava for supply all across New Zealand.
Feel free to drop us a note or DM us online.
Vinaka
Welcome! Glad to have you with us.
Forretressqt
Kava Curious
Will have to give it a try! Fijian vendors i've been to (Between wellington and Palmy) have never been able to verify if it's noble or not.
GreenGoldKavaNZ
Premium Noble Fijian Kava in NZ
Vinaka @Kapmcrunk
Forretressqt
Kava Curious
Just coming back to report on Green Gold kava I bought; Very pleased with the result, something interesting I noticed was how consistent and good the grind was for traditional use, most fijian I've bought in NZ has very inconsistent grind in the same bag including large chunks ranging to silt that goes straight through the bag .