The Story Behind Manaaki Touch

Manaaki Touch was born from friendship, a shared dream, and a deep love for Aotearoa New Zealand.

We’re Luciana and Lucre — best friends who made the bold decision to leave everything behind and move to Queenstown. We didn’t just visit New Zealand — we fell in love with it. Its landscapes, its people, its culture, and its strong sense of community.

Living the Queenstown Lifestyle

Queenstown isn’t just where we live — it’s how we live. We embrace adventure, the outdoors, and the energy of this place. Hiking, exploring nature, and connecting with friends — it all shapes who we are and inspires everything we do.

Solving a Real Problem

While exploring local markets and meeting passionate small producers, we realized something: many incredible New Zealand makers were not being seen or appreciated for their talent and craftsmanship.

At the same time, we saw that visitors, new homeowners, and companies often struggled to find thoughtful, meaningful gifts that truly reflect New Zealand.

We knew there was a way to solve both problems:

1. Help small producers shine and reach more people

2. Offer visitors, hotels, real estate agencies, and corporates gifts that create genuine connection and lasting impressions
   

That’s how Manaaki Touch was born — to bridge that gap and make giving and welcoming in New Zealand more thoughtful, authentic, and impactful.

More Than a Gift Box

Manaaki means hospitality and kindness, and that became our foundation. Manaaki Touch is our way of:

• Welcoming visitors — tourists, relocating families, or corporate guests

• Supporting local artisans — giving small New Zealand producers a platform to shine

• Creating memorable experiences — perfect for hotels, real estate agencies, and corporate gifting
  

Whether it’s a hotel greeting guests, a real estate agency welcoming new homeowners, or a company impressing clients or employees, our curated boxes are designed to leave a lasting impression.

Some of our best ideas come from exploring local markets, meeting makers, and discovering new products — many of whom have become part of Manaaki Touch, and even our friends.

Our Mission

At its heart, Manaaki Touch is about connection. Helping people feel truly welcomed while highlighting the talent and stories of New Zealand’s makers.

From a simple conversation between two friends in the mountains to a clear mission, Manaaki Touch has grown into a brand with a purpose: solving a real problem for both makers and those who want to give meaningful gifts.

Final Thought

Manaaki Touch isn’t just about what’s inside the box. It’s about the people behind it, the stories within it, and the feeling it creates.

For us, this is more than a business — it’s our way of solving a problem, giving back to New Zealand, supporting local artisans, and helping hotels, real estate agencies, corporates, and individuals create unforgettable connections. 💛