Reefton Distilling Co. has collaborated with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae with the sacred connection of Pounamu and the spirit of the West Coast.
Patsy Bass, Founder and Chief Executive of Reefton Distilling Co., the producers of international award-winning Little Biddy Gin, and Francois Tumahai, Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, have come together to honour the land, the people and the traditions of Te Tai Poutini/the West Coast.
Deep at the heart of this connection is Pounamu, a taonga/treasure of Ngāti Waewae, the smallest hapu of Ngāi Tahu, comprising about 6000 people who have whakapapa to the tīpuna of Te Tai Poutini.
Ngāti Waewae have gifted treasured pieces of their Pounamu to Reefton Distilling Co. to sit in a specially commissioned filter, which all water used to make Little Biddy Gin and Moonlight Creek Whisky, will touch.
These world-class spirits will now carry the wairua/ spirit of the West Coast to the World.
Both Ngāti Waewae and Reefton Distilling Co. share an affinity with the mountains, rivers and waterways of Te Tai Poutini, they also share a deep respect for the people who call this special place home.
Ngāti Waewae are mana whenua and are active leaders within the wider West Coast community, with representation on each of the four West Coast councils and numerous boards. They are also proactive in creating employment and educational opportunities for their people, with a particular focus on youth.
Reefton Distilling Co. Founder and Chief Executive, Patsy Bass, also believes in an intergenerational perspective, which was embedded in her thinking during her 7 years working at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Bass spoke of how the distillery has had a positive impact on the local economy, helping to attract new people to the region, and providing jobs for the next generation, so that they might stay there and raise their own families, contributing to the community and vibrancy of the region.
Bass said that she feels fortunate to have learned first-hand of the significance of Pounamu. Her daughter and granddaughter are Ngāi Tahu, and as a proud ‘Coaster’, Bass had imagined filtering the pristine water used in the production of Little Biddy Gin and Moonlight Creek Whisky over Pounamu, so that it would carry the very essence of the West Coast in every sip.
In recognition of Reefton Distilling Co.’s positive impact on Te Tai Poutini, Ngāti Waewae has gifted treasured Pounamu from the Arahura River.
Ngāti Waewae have also gifted the distillery a magnificent, large Pounamu touchstone, which was sourced from Toaroha, a river which flows from high in the Southern Alps, into the Hokitika River. This will soon be installed at Reefton Distilling Co.’s visitor centre in Reefton. As visitors to the distillery touch the stone and smooth it over generations, they will leave a little of themselves in the history of this iconic business.
“The gifting of Pounamu to Reefton Distilling Co. is a recognition of the ethos of the company and its commitment to its place here in Te Tai Poutini,” said Ngāti Waewae Chairman Francois Tumahai.
“The betterment of the lives of our young people is also a strong value that we each share.”
With pristine West Coast water filtered over revered Pounamu, each drop of Reefton Distilling Co.’s premium spirits will now carry the wairua/spirit of this remarkable region. Filtered beneath the mountains and through the lush rainforest for thousands of years, and imbued with the cultural significance of one of Aotearoa’s most sacred treasures.
This connection between spirit and tradition makes each bottle a true celebration of the West Coast's rich heritage and untamed natural wilderness. Capturing the spirit of the land, the culture, and the heritage.
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