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Chloē Reweti is one of our amazing designers that has kindly created beautiful designs for us. We were lucky to have found Chloe 5 years ago when we were producing some products for Te Papa.  Chloe designed a beeswax wrap pattern that Te Papa commissioned us to produce. Then later that year Chloe designed a series of three beautiful New Zealand flora and fauna prints for us.  We knew at the time that Chloe was incredibility talented and she has been recognized by so many.

Chloé's prints are intricately detailed with so much depth and contrast that we believe she is one of the best designers we have worked with.

Chloē Reweti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Porou) is an independent graphic designer in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. Chloē has previously held creative roles as a graphic designer for The National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and Art Director of graphic design at Wētā Workshop.

Chloe’s practice is informed by mātauranga Māori and toi Māori. Her work is robustly researched through conventional mediums like publications, as well as through intimate interactions with artists and makers. We asked Chloe to design a uniquely New Zealand design for us and if you look really carefully at the designs she produced for us you will see so many details.

We have used her Kawakawa design on the outside of our Pop up shop at 99 Featherston Street, Wellington and you will also see the design on some of our New Zealand made products.

To engage with Chloe check out her instagram account which is @chloereweti.mahi or her website here https://chloereweti.com/about.

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It has been a while since I have written a musing as it has been busy with a new store, hunting to buy a commercial space, christmas lead up, a large deal with Woolworths (more on that soon), renovations at my home, football tournaments with my sons to name a few things over the last couple of months.  One thing that has stuck with me over the last few months is the attitude of many people these days. I just think people need to put their big girl pants on and find joy in all things! Hence my musings below......

'Poor me'

I think I am an empathetic person, who offers support to many people in my life. In fact lately I have been supporting a number of friends through their divorce and  employment issues (12 years of being a commercial lawyer has been helpful!)

I find it very rewarding but some people use the ‘poor me’ when they have so much.  As I get older I am becoming less patient with people like that.  I know it is all relative but really there are so many people who have enough: wealth, family, loving partners, passion projects and/or work and it still is not enough. While I know struggles are relative, it can be frustrating to see this lack of gratitude. I often want to tell people to embrace their challenges and recognize the good things they possess. I just want to pick these people up and give them a shake and tell them to put their big girl pants on and be grateful.

• Is it because they have forgotten how to deeply connect with people?
• Is it because they have not created enough peace in their life?
• Is it because they have not found purpose in their lives?
• Is it because they do not have enough pleasure in their life?
  
• Is it because they believe in a monochromatic way of living and have forgotten their unique selves?
• Is it because they have forgotten how to give and receive help?
• Are they just stuck and don’t know how to make changes in their life and blame others?
• Are they just scared of failing?

I think I am trying to say maybe those ‘poor me’ people need to stop, find their peace, their place of happiness, be grateful and put their big girl pants on.

This applies not only to individuals but also to those who commentate on our world. I am tired of the constant stream of bad news stories about Wellington City. We need to focus on success stories, and there are so many here!

There are people all over Wellington doing and trying new exciting ventures. In fact I was at an Angel HQ event last week and some of the ventures were fabulous. Our people are patriotic and I have seen this first hand while spending time in the center of the city (99 Featherston Street) at our Pop up Shop. The Wellingtonians who come into the Pop up want our businesses to succeed, they want to connect, they love our city.

Yes we have problems with lack of jobs, yes we need to assist our homeless people, yes we need our landlords to be realistic about rents, we need insurance companies to bring down premiums, we need rates reduced or at least the money being put towards boring keys problems like our infrastructure.  We need to keep being the creative food capital of New Zealand and the sustainable capital of New Zealand. We need those with money, wisdom, connections, passion, creativity, thirst for adventure and to be not scared of failure to keep building up our City and people.

No more ‘poor me’ please!

We need to lift ourselves up, lift others up, and go out there to make the absolute most of our time on earth!  

Go put those big girl pants on!

Love Anna x

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we’ve all felt the black friday frenzy. the dizzying deals, the pressure to buy, the quiet guilt about overconsumption. it often feels like a choice between a good deal and a good conscience.

but what if this year was different? what if your black friday cart could actually reduce waste instead of adding to it?

to understand how, we first need to understand the beast we're up against.

a brief history of the black friday "frenzy"

the term "black friday" didn't start as a cheerful shopping spree. its origins are murky, but one of the most common stories points to 1950s philadelphia. police used the phrase to describe the chaotic and unpleasant day after thanksgiving, when hordes of suburban shoppers and tourists flooded the city, leading to traffic jams, shoplifting, and general mayhem.

for years, it was a term retailers disliked. in the 1980s, they tried to rebrand it, pushing a more positive (and profitable) narrative: this was the day retailers' accounts went "into the black" (meaning profitable) for the year.

this rebranding was wildly successful. but it came at a cost. it cemented a culture of hyper-consumerism, built on a linear model of take-make-waste.

the problem with the "take-make-waste" model

this is the system black friday thrives on:

1. take raw materials from the earth.

2. make products, often cheaply and designed to be replaced.

3. waste them in landfills after a short life.

it’s a system that depletes resources, pollutes our planet, and clutters our homes. the "deal" isn't really a deal when you consider the true environmental and social cost.

our alternative: the circular refillery model

this black friday, we’re flipping the script. we’re not just offering a sale; we’re inviting you to participate in the circular economy.

a circular economy is designed to eliminate waste. instead of the linear "take-make-waste" model, it's a closed loop:

• keep products and materials in use.

• design out waste and pollution.

• regenerate natural systems.

and the simplest, most powerful way to participate? refilling what you already have.

your black friday action plan: consume intentionally

this year, your most powerful purchase isn't a new thing—it's a refill of a thing you already love.

we’re making it easier than ever to choose differently. for black friday, we're offering a promo at the nil refillery.

this isn't a discount designed to make you buy more than you need. it’s an incentive to make the sustainable choice the easy and affordable one. at the nil refillery, our name is our mission: to aim for nil harm and nil waste, one refill at a time.

your savvy shopper checklist for a conscious black friday:

• buy what you need, not just what's on sale: look at what you’re actually running low on. a refill of your favorite shampoo or laundry detergent is a purchase with purpose.

• choose the circular option: every refill is a direct rejection of single-use plastic and the wasteful linear model.

• support a system you believe in: by refilling with us, you’re voting with your wallet for a world with less waste.

this black friday, let’s move beyond the hype and the hustle. let’s put our money where our values are and build a system that’s better for all of us.

come into the nil refillery this black friday weekend and turn your empty bottle into a statement. let’s make this one truly green.

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You read labels for your family. But what about the companies behind the products?

B Corp is a badge for good companies. Think of it as the "Fair Trade" seal for the entire business.

To get it, companies must pass a tough test proving they:

• Treat their people well

• Protect the planet

• Give back to their community

Our founder, Anna, wasn't sure she needed the badge. She felt that nil products, was already doing the right thing. But she realized B Corp is bigger than one company—it's a global movement building a better economy for our kids.

Why This Truly Matters for Your Family

This isn't just a feel-good sticker. It’s a promise that impacts the world your children are growing up in.

• You're Investing in a Healthier Planet: B Corps are legally required to consider their environmental impact. This means less plastic in our oceans, fewer chemicals in our soil, and a real commitment to leaving a lighter footprint. You're choosing products that help safeguard your children's future.

• You're Supporting Fairness and Equality: These companies are audited on how they treat their employees—from fair wages to healthy work environments. When you support a B Corp, you're supporting a business that cares for its work family, creating a more ethical economy for the next generation.

• You're Building a Stronger Community: B Corps are designed to give back. They are often deeply involved in local projects and charitable causes. Your purchase helps fuel positive change right in your own neighborhood.

In a world of confusing marketing and "greenwashing," the B Corp logo is a signal you can trust. It’s a simple, powerful way to make your family's spending align with your values.

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Why I did not want to do B Corp Certification?

As many of you know, my background is in law. I spent over 12 years as a commercial lawyer in large firms and later as a Chief Legal Officer in the public sector. My professional world was steeped in regulation.

So, when I set up Munch Cupboard Limited (now trading as nil products), it seemed obvious to me that we needed to avoid greenwashing at all costs. From the beginning, we undertook stringent research on the lines we marketed and grounded everything in our purpose and constitution. Transparency was also non-negotiable. We openly reported on our social and sustainable impacts long before it was expected of businesses. Without realising it, I had taken a regulatory approach in my business. But unlike regulation, which can often be rigid, I thrive on innovation and change. Perhaps that tension between structure and adaptability was the perfect complement.  So over the years I thought we did not need to go through the B Corp process as we were already doing all the requirements I saw that was needed for the certification.

We were one of the first small companies in New Zealand to transparently report on our environmental and social impacts. This was before ‘B Corp’ was a thing, and before consultants were packaging up “regulatory environmental services” for businesses.

Very few people cared about plastic waste 10 years ago. Yet we saw clearly the compounding effects: the products, their packaging, and the resulting waste on our limited planet.

Fast-forward to 2023, I started reading more about B Corp. I realised it had grown into a global initiative, aligning with my view that systemic change is a key way to achieve meaningful impact.  Having said that currently we are doing our ‘little bit’ to make a difference. Every step does count, even if not at a high level systems playing field.

Segwaying a bit here, but last week I attended a lecture at Auckland University with my clothing designer friend Liz Mitchell. We listened to Professor Kate Fletcher, the leading academic on sustainable fashion. Her message was crystal clear: global systems change is essential.

Her words made me reflect on how I could contribute more to systems change. For me, part of that is exercising my voice in civic life like supporting candidates such as Laurie Foon who are working towards systemic environmental change. Go for Laurie!

Kate’s view of clothing also stuck with me as she described clothes as another layer of who we are, connecting us to the earth. It was poetic, but also deeply practical.

Like many businesses the last two years has been super hard. We have seen so many businesses fold. There was no way I was going to let that happen, I think the reason I held on was sheer stubbornness—my “never give up” attitude. But another part was a desire to work through the B Corp process and discover whether I truly believed in it. When I start something I really need to finish it!

The process was immense. It took more than 18 months and resulted in over 40 new documents reinforcing our social and environmental commitments. A fully developed work manual emerged as a by-product which was an unexpected but valuable tool.

Along the way, I also helped other businesses through their own B Corp journeys, and now I continue to support others through my consulting work. 

Last week, we officially received our certification. But for me, the certification itself is less important than the process. That process embedded what we already do and gives us even more authenticity and credibility.

While the business headlines this week say our economy is struggling, from my perspective our business is on the rise. I have some more exciting news to share with you next month. It hasn’t been easy, at times it has been incredibly hard (particularly with the personal struggles 2 years ago) but it feels so good to see things working out.  Many things (for want of a better word) are coming to fruition. That feeling is amazing. I love that feeling!!

Till next time,
Anna x

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