Whanganui's first craft gin distillery, now shipping NZ wide

Award-winning gin, artisan distilled in Whanganui

Exquisite gins winning awards in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

Papaiti Gin teams up with Sustaina Grow

Buy a bottle of gin and take 25% off our tailored Sustaina Grow Gin Bottle Sleeves. The perfect Christmas present for the eco-friendly Gin lover in your life!

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  • Mixology Masterclass with Emily Hayes

    Learn how to make three classic cocktails using Papaiti Gin and take a deep dive into the world of bartending guided by none other than local mixology legend Emily Hayes

    Book now 
  • Make your own gin

    Join Papaiti Gin co-founder and distiller Adrian and learn how to make your own gin. This is as hands-on as it gets, from deciding on a recipe to running the still.

    Book now 
  • Summer Sessions

    Get ready for the four most relaxing Sundays of the season. Enjoy the charme of Upokongaro and treat yourself to a lazy Sunday outing with gin, beers and yummy snacks.

    Learn more 

Papaiti Gin Distillery

Our distillery is located in the small rural village of Upokongaro. Just a few kilometres north of Whanganui, Upokongaro sits opposite our Papaiti home and orchard, on the banks of the Whanganui river - Te Awa Tupua. It's easy to visit whether you are travelling by foot, bike, car or historic riverboat.
We are passionate about our hands-on, artisan approach to crafting gin and it is here in the distillery where all the magic happens.
Everything from mixing botanicals, distillation, bottling and distribution happens in this small but functional space.
Our cellar door is open for retail business and we do love welcoming visitors and telling our story. So if you're around, make sure to drop in.

Botanicals

Gin is incredibly creative. As long as juniper is the dominant botanical, you can pair it with just about anything. The real art to crafting gin is getting the mix of botanicals just right and it is the balance of botanicals that gives every gin its own unique flavour signature.

Whilst some botanicals, like juniper, just aren’t readily available in New Zealand, we're trying to use as many locally sourced botanicals as we can. Right now there’s a little bit of our home that goes into every bottle of gin that we produce, and we envisage that within 12-months all of our citrus and native botanicals will be able to be sourced from within the Whanganui region.

Mountains to Sea

The distillery sits right on the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono cycle trail. It comes right through our car park!
We welcome every cyclist riding the trail (as well as those just doing shorter trips out from town) and of course the Te Araroa hikers walking past, too. We are right behind supporting the ever-expanding trail network in and around Whanganui.
If you've run out of water, come see us for a refill. If you’re having a bit of a mechanical we’ve got a few basic tools that might be able to help you out. Or if you’re just passing by and want to stop by for a chat, or to check us out, then come on in.

Generally, if the lights are on, someone is in and would be more than happy to chat or or help you out.

  • What was the Gin Craze about and why did they call gin 'Mother's Ruin'?

    What was the Gin Craze about and why did they c...

    A question that comes up quite frequently at gin tastings: what was the Gin Craze all about and why did they call gin 'Mother's Ruin'?  To answer that question we...

    What was the Gin Craze about and why did they c...

    A question that comes up quite frequently at gin tastings: what was the Gin Craze all about and why did they call gin 'Mother's Ruin'?  To answer that question we...

  • Papaiti Gin Wins Silver Medals at the 2023 London Spirits Competition

    Papaiti Gin Wins Silver Medals at the 2023 Lond...

    Whanganui, New Zealand, 13 April 2023 – Papaiti Gin wins two Silver medals at the 6th London Spirits Competition, which took place in London on March 22, 23 and 24, 2023. The medals are an ultimate endorsement...

    Papaiti Gin Wins Silver Medals at the 2023 Lond...

    Whanganui, New Zealand, 13 April 2023 – Papaiti Gin wins two Silver medals at the 6th London Spirits Competition, which took place in London on March 22, 23 and 24, 2023. The medals are an ultimate endorsement...

  • Can I make my own gin?

    Can I make my own gin?

    Yes, you can. And we'll show you how. Making your own gin is a wonderfully creative process: if you already have a flavour in mind, that's great, but if you're...

    Can I make my own gin?

    Yes, you can. And we'll show you how. Making your own gin is a wonderfully creative process: if you already have a flavour in mind, that's great, but if you're...

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