News

We have some exciting news to share.

nil products is a finalist in the Emerging Gold – Products category at the 2026 Wellington Gold Awards.

This category, proudly sponsored by XEQUALS, recognises small businesses with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees who are making a significant impact with their products. For us, that impact has always been about two things: people and the planet.

What are the Gold Awards?

Now in their 28th year, the Wellington Gold Awards celebrate the inspiring businesses of the Greater Wellington Region and Horowhenua. Since 1999, they've witnessed Wellington transform from a grey civil service town into a hive of entrepreneurial activity, home to world-class businesses and events.

The Gold Awards are successful because they highlight the vital contribution businesses make to our region, bring together private and public sector organisations, and create a genuine feel-good night of celebration.

The road to finalist

Over 300 businesses were nominated across 10 categories this year. A panel of 25 independent business and community leaders assessed each entry, narrowing the field down to finalists through a rigorous two-round judging process.

The finalists were announced on May 9th. For us, sharing the news took a little longer than planned—a dramatic flood at nil HQ and the recent signing for our new store demanded our attention first. But we're here now, and we're proud.

A night of connection

At the finalist event, we were reminded just how much good is happening in this city. From ambitious plans to revamp Courtenay Place to a new mini-golf project that returns all proceeds to the community... Wellington is full of people quietly making things better.

We also caught up with fellow finalists and friends including Jonny Drumm from Jolly Billboards, Adam McConnochie from Solid Toothpaste, and Anna Guenther from PledgeMe.

The conversation kept circling back to one thing: Wellington is not dying. We're just not shouting loud enough about all the great things happening here.

Consider this us shouting.

Why this matters to us

We've never chased awards. We've chased impact.

But to have industry experts and business leaders look at what we've built... our Home Workforce model, our B Corp certification, our silicone recycling program, our commitment to nil harm and nil waste... and say "this belongs on the Gold stage"? That means something.

It means the long hours, the hard conversations, and the small optimistic steps are adding up.

Thank you to XEQUALS

We're grateful to XEQUALS for sponsoring the Emerging Gold – Products category and supporting small businesses like ours who are working to make a difference.

What happens next

The 2026 Gold Awards will be held on Thursday 2 July at Wellington's iconic Embassy Theatre.

Winners across all categories—plus the supreme award, The Post Gold Award—will be announced on the night.

In the meantime, we have plenty to do. New store. New products. The same fight.

Whether we take home the Gold or not, we're already proud to stand among the finalists. And we're grateful to every single person who has supported us—our customers, our Home Workforce team, and the wider Wellington business community.

Wish us luck. And watch this space.

— The nil products team

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Let's be honest. Mum life is chaotic. You're packing lunches, wiping faces, finding lost shoes, and somewhere in there—hopefully—drinking your coffee before it goes cold.

The last thing you need is complicated "zero waste" systems that add more work.

These four items won't make your life harder. They'll make it a little easier. Less plastic. Less guilt. And honestly? A small win just for you.

1. Your Own Coffee Cup

You know the scene. You finally get everyone out the door. You stop for coffee. The barista hands you a single-use cup. And you feel that little pang of guilt.

Your own reusable cup changes that. It keeps your coffee hot, keeps plastic out of landfill, and honestly? It's one small thing that's just yours.

Keep it by your keys. Future tired mum you will thank you.

2. Period Care That Works

Shout out to Hello Period for making reusable pads and period undies that are genuinely comfortable and reliable.

No more running out of disposables. No more bathroom bin overflowing with plastic. Just soft, washable care that's there when you need it.

3. Solid shampoo & conditioner bars

We know. You've seen these before. You've wondered if they actually work.

They do. And here's why busy mums reach for them:

• No pump to pump (one less thing with wet, tired hands)
• No plastic bottle to rinse out
• They actually last longer
• They travel easily (for the rare night away)

Make the switch once. Stop thinking about shampoo and conditioner bottles forever.

4. Reusable Produce Bags

You're already juggling a toddler hanging off the trolley and a mental list of what you forgot. You don't need delicate bags that fall apart.

Sturdy, machine-washable produce bags are the answer. Keep them rolled up in your handbag or tucked inside the trolley.

Avocados, apples, potatoes? Straight in. Plastic produce bags? Gone.

Wash them with the tea towels. Simple.

A Note to You, Mum
You don't have to do all four at once. Pick one. Try it for a month. Then add another.

These aren't about perfection. They're about making the easy choice also the kind choice—for you and the planet.

And honestly? You deserve small things that make your day smoother.

Keep the coffee cup. Keep the period undies. Drink your coffee while it's still warm (or at least try).

You're doing great.

Small optimistic steps save the world. Even when you're wiping yoghurt off the ceiling. 💚

Shop the Low-waste mum kit at nilproducts.com

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March is B Corp Month. We're celebrating, but not because of a logo.

Here's why.

We Take Our Products Back. (And Yours Too.)

Done with your nil silicone—bib, pouch, whatever? Send it back. We collect and store it for recycling. A second life instead of landfill.

Oh, and we take other brands' silicone too. Try finding another company that does that.

Estimated landfill saved so far: 100+ tonnes in NZ alone.

The Dishcloth Detail

Before nil hit supermarkets, every single dishcloth on those shelves came wrapped in plastic. Every. One.

Ours? Just a simple wrapper.

Plastic saved to date: 2+ million pieces.

Kitchen. Nursery. Everything.

We're a NZ B Corp with a full lifestyle offering. One brand. One standard. Every corner of your home.

Workers: 20+ women weekly in our Home Workforce. 1M+ sewn goods produced.

Environment: Carbon Certified. GOTS Certified. 2M+ pieces of plastic saved.

Community: 1% revenue to charity. Free sustainability kids' training.

The Bottom Line

You can buy everything for your home from one place and trust every single item carries the same ethics.

Even the stuff you send back.

Small steps save the world. Let's take them together. 💚

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Hey there, future-focused parents!

Let's chat about something that often arrives in a flurry of plastic packaging and overwhelming choices: the baby wardrobe. Those adorable tiny outfits represent a big environmental impact. But what if the single smartest, most stylish, and most sustainable move you could make was to look backwards?

We're talking about the glorious, budget-friendly, planet-saving world of second-hand baby clothes. Forget "hand-me-downs" as a consolation prize. Think of them as a curated, pre-loved collection with a story. This isn't about sacrifice. It's about a smarter, simpler start for your little one.

The Beautiful Maths of Second Hand

The facts are simple. The most sustainable piece of clothing is the one that already exists. Choosing pre-loved means you are:

• Saving Resources: No new water, dyes, or energy used for production.

• Diverting Waste: Keeping perfectly good textiles out of landfill.

• Saving Serious Cash: So you can allocate funds to other important things (hello, coffee fund).

• Discovering Quality: Often, older or lightly used items are made from better, more durable fabrics than today's fast-fashion baby gear.

A brand new onesie might be worn a handful of times. A second-hand one gets a second life, and that’s a beautiful thing.

Your Guide to the Second Hand Goldmine

Ready to build a beautiful, ethical wardrobe? Here’s your map to the treasure.

1. The Great Community Haul: Online Marketplaces
This is where volume and value meet. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace or local Buy/Swap/Sell groups are perfect for the "lot buy."

2. The Treasure Hunt: Op Shops and Consignment Stores
Nothing beats the thrill of the find. Local opportunity shops and specialised children's consignment stores are gems.

• Pro Tip: Look for natural fibres—cotton, wool, bamboo. Check seams and zippers. A minor stain is often easily treated, but avoid significant wear. Go often, as stock changes constantly.

3. The Generational Gift: Hand-Me-Down Chains
Say yes. Say it loudly and gratefully. When a friend or family member offers a bag of clothes, they’re offering you time, money, and a lighter planetary load.

• Pro Tip: Sort through the bag with gratitude. Keep what you love and fits your style. Pass the rest along to another parent or a charity. The cycle continues!

Wash everything in a gentle, eco-friendly detergent before use. Mend a loose button or a tiny hole. It takes minutes and extends the life of the garment for the next child in line.

Choosing second hand is a powerful first act of love for your baby and their future world. It wraps them in comfort, history, and care. It’s a choice that says we can celebrate new life without demanding new stuff.

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