Bringing the Pacific to Aotearoa: Luxury gift boxes with island flair

A unique gift box is bringing the aroma and taste of the Pacific to Aotearoa.

Ko Au Ni - Just for Me business owner Jenna Jacobsen Toeono says the gift boxes can include handmade accessories and Koko Sāmoa pods, connecting local businesses with more customers.

“It’s luxury, but also with that Pasifika flavour, we just have so many beautiful products out there.”

Jacobsen Toeono, who has family links to Niue, Cook Islands, Sāmoa, and New Zealand, says she wants to create a sense of nostalgia with tastes and flavours that might remind people of their childhood.

“Most of my suppliers are Niuean, and so there’s the very revered banana chips, which are just like gold here because they get them in Niue, which is awesome but bringing them here is a bit of a challenge.

“Last season, we had watermelon ‘otai candles, and one of my customers was like, ‘Oh my gosh!’.

"In winter time that was sending her back to summer vibes, brightening up their day.”

One of the Ko Au Ni - Just For Me boxes featuring products from Niue. Photo/Facebook

After purchasing several subscription box services and mulling over the idea for about three years, Jacobsen Toeono launched the business in June this year.

“I really liked that concept but I thought, man, this would be even better if we had all these products sourced from our Pasifika community.”

Products such as mango-scented body cream are sourced through social media and word of mouth, and Jacobsen Toeono adds there’s a collection of local and regional suppliers.

“It's a bit of a circular economy because I then buy from them, I then package it up into a beautiful gift box and then as a customer, you get to experience all of this beautiful gorgeousness that you haven't really had to do any of the legwork for because I've done it for you and I've built those relationships with my suppliers.”

Watch Jenna Jacobsen Toeono's full interview with Island Time host Tofiga Fepulea'i below.

Jacobsen Toeono runs the Māngere-based business seasonally alongside full-time work and has learned to adapt to the challenges of shipping and handmade items requiring more time.

“What I say to that is, ‘That's okay if you're not ready for this season. We'll bring you on board for the next season’.

"So, it's just really trying to find all of that beauty in what's available out there in the market because there's just so much untapped talent out there.”

The boxes are priced ethically from $100+, so suppliers, many women, are paid a fair rate.