Waiheke - An Island of Innovation
This article was written as the chapter called: Island of Innovation, in the special book called The Spirit of Waiheke, the book was written by different local Waiheke people, and filled with photos of the island and it’s people. The best thing about this book is the proceeds all go to support local children to participate in extra-curricular activities. https://thewaihekespirit.com
“What I love most about this island is that everyone has a story. I think it’s because you don’t live here by accident”.
You either grow up here and choose to stay this side of the salty moat that ebbs and flows between us and the glittery big smoke, or at some stage you must pack your life on to a boat. It takes a decision because it’s a destination. Looking back I see that the places I’m drawn to aren’t on the way to somewhere else. The drive-through suburbs and towns are not my cup of tea, I like to make the left turn and keep going until I get to the last place on the road, Waiheke takes that to another level.
There are a lot of people who wouldn’t want to live on an island, and for good reason. Lack of medical access, limited goods and services, patchy infrastructure and non-existent utilities of the most basic kind, things that town-dwellers take for granted: piped water, sewage and gas. If you are up for it, bring your imagination and prepare to make changes in what’s already established by introducing new methods, ideas or products - in other words to innovate.
I love the scene in ‘A League of Their Own’ when Tom Hanks implores Geena Davis not to quit: ‘It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great’ he calls. In Waiheke that same year everyone was busy as usual doing hard things - the first torturous Wharf to Wharf was run, the land for Mudbrick was bought, the sod was turned for new pensioner housing in Ostend and Paul Monin published ‘Waiheke Island, A History.’
Being 20 miles out at sea forces innovation. People have to be bold, collaborate, pivot and persist to get things done. As an entrepreneur I’ve seen good ideas be honed into better ones by the friction of hitting obstacles. It’s not taking the easy road, but as Tom said, ‘it’s the hard that makes it great.’ On this island we see ideas as ingenious as they are unexpected. Isolation and deprivation gets the creative juices flowing, you’ll spot the local genius riding on his shed-made electric motorbike and tourists zipping through the native forest suspended from a wire.
As a result the island hums with it’s own wairua, the entrepreneurial spirit of the people who navigated by the stars to arrive on waka 800 years ago, the hard grafters who came in the 19th century, or today’s arrivals who might be searching for a different kind of life from New York City. The island is full of the energy of it’s tangata whenua, and is the home to innovative butchers, bakers and candlestick makers living next door to world-renowned scientists, creatives and entrepreneurs.
Over here water is a challenge so it’s hard to build a business that relies on it. That didn’t stop Waiheke Water. Their aquifer deep under the island releases 150 year old alkaline mineral water that they capture in beautifully labelled bespoke glass bottles. Finally giving the local restaurants a sparking option to serve patrons without the air miles from Italy, next came their genius idea of drinking ice. In elegantly sized cubes of the same clear water, it instantly made all other ice seem a bit off, and is now the go-to for happy hour and for sale all over the region. waihekewater.com
Perfect over ice is Timmy Smith’s Pause for Tea, deliciously unsweetened sparkling tea blends in a tear-top can, think Hibiscus & Ginger or Spearmint & Oolong. Once you have tried it you wonder why you haven’t seen this idea before. In fact Timmy first launched a ready-to-drink tea many years ago when it was a bit before it’s time. Happily we Kiwis began to focus more on wellness and less on caffeine and alcohol so the Tea’s time had come; today it’s a locals favourite summer drink and further afield it’s stocked in 70 places around the country. pausefortea.nz
No stranger to innovation, Helen Elscot from The Botanical Distillery is a medical herbalist with the knowledge of the ancient process of distillation using natural, seasonal botanicals and introducing beautiful handcrafted copper stills to those passionate about food, health and aroma. Five star reviews are not surprising given that all participants from corporates to hen parties have fun as they make their own perfume or gin. thebotanicaldistillery.com
Whisky was originally used as medicine, both as an internal anaesthetic and external antiseptic so its fitting that it was specialist surgeon Mark Izzard who founded Waiheke Whisky ten years ago. Combining 19th century still design with 21st century laser cut copper stills, and NZ grown malted barley with pure rainwater, tens of thousands of future bottles of whisky are sleeping peacefully in barrels from bourbon, sherry and the islands own Stonyridge Larose. Good things take time and with plans to open to the public in early 2021, Mark and the team share the spirit of Waiheke Island. waihekewhisky.com
Heke Beer was first brewed in a shed in the industrial heart of the island, and encased in eye-catching packaging with a promise ‘to make summer funner’ owner Mark Hindmarsh was ambitious from the get-go. Made using pure water from the island, the refreshing drop is still sometimes served from taps on the back of a custom-made Landrover, but it’s now on tap in high-end establishments in the city. Growth plans include craft beers brewed at it’s own bar and restaurant on the island. waihekebrewing.com
Esme Pfaff has a history of business success and after years of living on Waiheke whilst commuting to work, Esme decided to bring her work home, renovating the Harbourmasters building a stone’s throw from the ferry terminal at Matiatia. Now, the sustainable, slow-fashion Cashmere clothing business, Ahipao, is creating luxurious knitwear using cutting edge whole-garment technology that reduces production waste. Focusing on natural fibres, the designers use 3D sampling to create hand-finished, world-class excellence. Their boutique factory is open and customers can enjoy the cafe as they watch their beautiful knits being made. ahipao.co.nz
Truly innovative, Thea Ceramics potter Esther McDonald has a new take on an ancient form and her work is so sought after she sells 400 items with one Instagram post. Simple, beautiful, thoroughly modern, the comforting cylinder shape of her tumblers snuggle into your hands. Esther layers the raw clay with a slick glaze, a contrast similar to Waiheke itself. Her work includes cups, dishes, plates, and bowls and is for sale on and off the island. thea-cosmetics.com
It’s a joy to shop local here, investing in this innovative community gives us all ownership and makes Waiheke a remarkable place to live and mahi.
