A Kiwi company that started life in a Taranaki farm shed less than a decade ago is now riding a global heatwave, with exports of its world-first wine cooler technology surging across the Northern Hemisphere.
Huski, the homegrown brand behind an ice-free Champagne cooler, has climbed to number one in its category on Amazon in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. The business is on track to double its eight-figure annual revenue this year, with sales spiking as extreme temperatures grip major export markets.
This summer, Europe and the US have seen record-shattering highs – Spain reached 46°C, Portugal hit 46.6°C, France logged its hottest June day since records began in 1947, and the UK and US endured prolonged heatwaves with cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Houston sweltering above 40°C for consecutive days.
Almost a million Huski beer and wine coolers have now been exported to more than 50 countries, including Germany, Japan and the UAE. The company also recently secured its largest-ever commercial order – 76,000 units to the UK.
What began with a PVC pipe prototype is now a patent-pending product range stocked in over 500 retail stores across New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the US, and has been featured by global outlets including Rolling Stone, Vogue, GQand Oprah’s Favorite Things.
Co-founder Simon Huesser says the inspiration came from a simple observation: Champagne has been enjoyed since the 1600s, yet little had changed in how it’s kept cold.
“Sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco are particularly sensitive to temperature and experts recommend serving them between 6°C and 10°C,” he says.
“Our Champagne cooler maintains that ideal range for up to six hours without ice, and features the patent-pending BubbleLock Bottle Stopper, which slows the loss of bubbles. We believe it’s a world-first feature.”
Huesser says their journey began by recognising a gap in the market for a universal solution.
“US beer cans are 355ml, Australia’s are 375ml and New Zealand’s are mostly 330ml. There was no one-size-fits-all, so we literally collected bottles and cans from recycling bins to get the sizing right.”
After building a following with its beer cooler, customer demand pushed the team to develop solutions for wine and sparkling. “Designing for sparkling wine came with new challenges – bigger bottles, varied shapes, and the need for something that matched the sense of occasion,” he says.
The result was a vacuum-insulated stainless steel cooler with a built-in, removable stopper.
“It’s not complicated, but it’s thoughtful,” says Huesser. “And because the stopper lives in the base, it’s always on hand – not lost in a drawer.”
The design won international acclaim, securing a 2025 Red Dot Design Award. “It puts us in the company of Apple, Dyson and Ferrari,” says Huesser.
“Being recognised by more than 40 international experts has been a career highlight.”
But with growth has come challenges – especially around intellectual property.
“As a design-led business, we’ve had to be proactive about IP protection from day one. We now run monthly sweeps to identify copycats and have successfully taken down hundreds of infringing listings,” Huesser says.
In one case, that vigilance led to opportunity. “We intercepted a shipment of 15,000 design-infringing coolers headed to Australia. After a conversation with the importer, it turned into a much larger legitimate order.”
Huski’s go-to-market strategy leans heavily on direct-to-consumer sales. “We typically enter new markets through Amazon, then expand through e-commerce, retail partners and loyalty programmes,” says Huesser. That model has seen sales double in the UK and Australia in the past year.
From a farm shed prototype to more than 1.5 million products sold worldwide, Huski’s growth has been rapid.
“More than three-quarters of our business now comes from overseas,” Huesser says. “And that growth shows no signs of slowing.”
Source: https://exportertoday.co.nz/
NZ Post General Manager of Export and International Solutions, Jared Handcock, says “we know how important it is for businesses to stay connected with their US customers, and we’ve worked quickly to bring on this new option, following the temporary suspension to parcel sending into the US announced last week."
“While this sending option is available for new and existing businesses with an NZ Post account, NZ Post is committed to continuing the work needed to restore all sending options."
NZ Post is also developing solutions for sending personal gifts to the US, which is one of the exceptions under the new tariff structure. Gifts valued at $100 USD or less, sent from one individual to another, will be allowed to enter the US without any taxes or duties applied.
“We’re doing everything we can to make sending gifts and other items through our retail stores possible again soon. We will update customers as soon as we have this available. We expect this to be in the next week or so,” says Handcock.
Customers can stay up to date with the latest delivery updates at nzpost.co.nz/international-delivery-updates.
More about the new service to the US for business customers
This solution is available to all on-account NZ Post business customers, including new sign-ups. While this new service provides a pathway for businesses or commercial operators, NZ Post acknowledges that personal senders, such as individuals sending parcels to friends or family, are still waiting for a solution. Currently, they can send letters and documents to the US, but parcel sending remains unavailable.
This follows NZ Post’s temporary suspension of selected parcel services to the US last week, triggered by new US tariffs and removal of the duty-free (de minimis) threshold. These changes require multiple updates to how items are declared, processed, and taxed. To ensure compliance, sending was suspended while the required changes are made across our processes and systems. From 29 August 2025 (US Eastern Standard Time), items sent from New Zealand to the US will be subject to duties and taxes, regardless of value, with the exemption of gifts.
Businesses interested in opening an account with NZ Post can find more information at nzpost.co.nz
The Government has announced the closure of the Entrepreneur Work Visa and introduced a new Business Investor Visa to attract experienced investors who will help grow New Zealand’s economy by actively running businesses.
About the Business Investor Visa
The Business Investor Work Visa will open for applications in November 2025 and offer 2 investment options:
NZD $1 million investment in an existing business, for a 3-year work-to-residence pathway
NZD $2 million investment in an existing business, for a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway
Applicants can purchase a business outright on either visa pathway or acquire at least 25% of the business, provided they meet the minimum $1 million or $2 million investment thresholds.
Applicants may also include their partner and dependent children in their application.
Both options lead to eligibility to apply for the Business Investor Resident Visa.
A Business Investor Visa may be granted for up to 4 years.
The cost of the Business Investor Work Visa will be NZD $12,380. This includes the visa application fee and immigration levy.
The Business Investor Work Visa complements the Active Investor Plus Visa, which was refreshed in April 2025, and is part of a broader update to business immigration settings to attract investment, talent, and international connections.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Business Investor work visa, applicants must:
meet the minimum investment threshold
show they have at least NZD $500,000 to support themselves (and their family if they are including them in their application) while establishing their business
be aged 55 or younger when they apply
meet English language requirements (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent)
meet health and character requirements
meet business experience requirements
invest in a business that meets the financial threshold and employs at least 5 full-time equivalent staff.
Business investment requirements
The following business types are not acceptable business investments under this visa:
businesses involved in:
drop-shipping
gambling
the manufacturing of tobacco or other nicotine-based products, including vaping
adult entertainment
convenience stores (for example, corner dairies)
businesses that offer immigration advisory services, or that were purchased from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), or where an LIA is materially involved
discount or value stores (for example, NZD $2 shops)
fast food outlets
franchised businesses
home-based businesses (businesses only operating from a residential address).
Entrepreneur Category closure
The Entrepreneur Category is now closed to new applications for the Entrepreneur Work Visa.
If you have applied for an Entrepreneur Work Visa
If you have recently submitted an application for an Entrepreneur Work Visa, we will process it following the rules that were in place when you applied.
If you withdraw your application, you will not be eligible for a refund of any fees or levies already paid, regardless of the reason for your withdrawal.
If you currently hold an Entrepreneur Work Visa
Entrepreneur Work Visa holders will still be able to apply for residence, as the Entrepreneur Resident Visa will remain open.
If you need more time to meet Entrepreneur residence requirements, you can still apply for an Entrepreneur Work Visa renewal to maintain your pathway to residence.
Entrepreneur Work Visa
Entrepreneur Resident Visa
If you want to apply for a Business Investor Work Visa, you will need to submit a new application when the visa opens and pay the fees and levies.
More information
We will be sharing more information about the Business Investor Visa in October. This will include information to help compare it with the Active Investor Plus Visa for those considering both options.
You can read more details on the Business Investor Visa announcement on the Beehive website:
New Business Investor Visa to support growth — Beehive.govt.nz
The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2025–26, Compliance Simplification, and Remedial Measures) Bill introduces reforms long championed by AmCham and the international business community.
FIF – Revenue Account Method
A practical elective for new and returning residents that taxes dividends plus part of realised gains (with loss relief). This simplifies compliance for globally mobile executives and investors—especially those with pre‑residency, unlisted holdings.
The proposals will provide welcome relief to eligible taxpayers, but could have gone further to capture a broader scope of situations. We are hopeful there will be a chance for further changes as the Bill progresses, to ensure the proposals meet the needs of a wider range of taxpayers.
Visitor & remote work settings
Targeted exemptions linked to Visa timeframes mean short‑term business visitors and remote workers can operate from NZ without triggering full income tax or PAYE obligations for themselves or their offshore employers. Optional GST registration and integrity measures keep the system robust.
These changes reduce friction for cross‑border talent and capital—supporting NZ’s competitiveness as a hub for international business and mesh well with the US tax systems for individuals and venture capital.
Paul Dunne, Chair AmCham Tax Committee & Partner, EY.
Tariffs on wood products exported to the United Sates remain at ‘0’ percent as the section 232 Investigation aimed at determining the global effects imports of timber, lumber and their derivative products pose to the U.S. supply chain continues.
Although the ‘0’ percent tariff rate is a welcome relief for wood product exporters, the uncertainty of what may eventuate from the section 232 Investigation is causing nervousness across New Zealand wood processers and manufacturers who export over NZD$370 million of value-added wood product to the United States. Developments over the weekend included President Trump announcing on a Truth Social post that a major new tariff investigation on furniture (incl. wooden furniture) coming into the United States will be completed within 50 days at a tariff rate to be determined. This was followed by release of the draft EU and U.S. Trade Agreement Framework which promptly ensures that the tariff rate applied to section 232 actions on lumber does not exceed 15 percent. ‘These announcements create further uncertainty, with a survey of our main U.S. exporters of wood products to the U.S. highlighting that a tariff rate of 5 percent or over will have a significant hit on their profitability in the longer-term.’ Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association (WPMA) Chief Executive, Mark Ross, said. ‘The U.S. is a growing market for our value-added wood products and with a drop off in NZ domestic demand, profitable export markets are critical to growing our industry.’ Having our Trade Minister, Todd McClay, speaking up in support of the NZ wood processing industry on the section 232 Investigation in his recent Washington negotiations with U.S. Trade Representatives, is highly valued by WPMA members and we thank the Minister and his negotiation team for backing our exporters. ‘The key is to present a united face across industry and government to the U.S. decision makers as to the value of our wood products to the U.S. and that our products are not a threat to their domestic timber manufacturing or supply chain,’ said Ross. With the outcome of this section 232 investigation expected no later than early December, WPMA will continue to engage with our allied U.S. Associations, who are lobbying the U.S. Administration to keep imported timber and lumber products tariff free as a means of levelling recent domestic U.S. house price rises and maintaining robust supply chains. New Zealand is known in the U.S. for providing high value and high-quality wood products, most of which is sold into the DIY end user’s market, such as Home Depot, Lowes and Menards. As a small niche supplier of wood products that are needed by the U.S. domestic building market, such as long clear Radiata pine boards, mouldings and primed product, there is a strong argument for keeping New Zealand timber and lumber imports tariff free. With comments from exporters such as customers in the U.S. are already pressurising us to reduce product price, it will be a tough ask to pass any additional tariff costs on should they prevail. ‘While the section 232 Investigation continues WPMA will do what we can to advocate to keep New Zealand imported timber, lumber and their derivatives into the United Sates tariff free’, said Ross, ‘But, at the end of the day the U.S. President will be the final tariff rate decision maker, and we know from experience we need to be ready to expect the unexpected.’
WPMA’s survey of timber and lumber exporters to the U.S, key findings included: • Due to the small profitability margins, anything over a 5 percent tariff would cause 50 percent of exporters to rethink as to the value of exporting to the U.S. • If a tariff was introduced, most exporters would both pass tariff costs onto their customer and absorb the cost, while a small percentage would look at diverting product to other markets. • Half indicated that higher tariffs on other competitive countries, should they eventuate, may provide an advantage to their business. Media Contact: Mark Ross, Chief Executive, Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ 027 442 9965 mark@wpma.org.nz
Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, in Washington this week to express New Zealand’s concerns over US tariffs, and the disadvantage this creates for Kiwi exporters in relation to other countries, many of whom subsidise their production.
Ambassador Greer recognised New Zealand applies low tariffs against US goods. He confirmed that the additional 5 per cent tariff imposed on New Zealand exports last month was in relation to New Zealand’s balance of trade surplus and represented a new bottom tariff rate of 15 per cent, or higher, for all countries that sold more to the US than they bought.
Product-specific trade investigations in areas including steel and aluminium, pharmaceuticals, and timber were also discussed.
Ambassador Greer and Minister McClay agreed that trade officials would meet over the coming months to discuss the impact of tariffs on New Zealand-US trade and consider practical ways to give exporters greater certainty.
Minister McClay recognised New Zealand’s relationship with the United States is important. Two-way trade is well balanced and complementary with New Zealand applying an average tariff rate of just 0.3 per cent on US goods imports. At different times, each side has enjoyed a trade surplus, reflecting the dynamic nature of the trade relationship.
Ambassador Greer and Minister McClay agreed to next meet during the ASEAN Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Malaysia in September and again at the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Korea in October where they would consider any next steps to strengthen trade.
Minister McClay, Secretary of Agriculture Rollins and Ambassador Greer discussed shared concerns about the harm that heavily subsidised, trade-distorting practices of some countries are causing to the New Zealand and US dairy industries.
They agreed that dairy farmers were important to both governments and that they shared significant concerns over the effect these trade-distorting practices have on our respective dairy industries.
They agreed to explore ways to jointly combat these harmful practices and support our dairy farmers.
Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/
NZ's best photo print studio joins leading software firm, paves way for global growth
MEA, the software specialist powering the world’s largest photo retailers, has acquired leading photo print studio, Happy Moose. The partnership unites MEA’s e-commerce capability and global retail reach with Happy Moose’s expertise in premium production and handcrafted products. Together, they aim to deliver premium photo printing at scale — raising the bar for customers and paving the way for international expansion.
Happy Moose has built a loyal following in New Zealand for its seriously good photo prints and a playful brand personality. From archival-quality papers to true-to-life colour, every order is crafted to make photos look their best. Based in Connecticut, USA and Hamilton, New Zealand, MEA’s technology connects thousands of photo labs and retail stores worldwide — including major US retailers — making it one of the most widely used photo printing platforms.
By acquiring Happy Moose, MEA offers customers the best of both worlds — high-tech convenience and handcrafted quality — while preserving the unique character that has made Happy Moose a local favourite.
We’re pairing powerful technology with premium printmaking,” stated Rod Macfarlane, Executive Director at MEA, “MEA’s technology underpins one of the world’s largest photo printing networks, and Happy Moose is New Zealand’s best photo lab. Together we can create premium print experiences at a scale the industry hasn’t seen before.
Happy Moose will continue producing orders from its studio in Dunedin, New Zealand – including collage posters and photo books - while MEA integrates its catalogue into its platform, with select products rolling out in new markets such as the USA and Australia over time. No immediate changes for existing Happy Moose customers are expected.
Key Highlights:
Photo software specialist MEA has acquired New Zealand's best photo print studio, Happy Moose.
The partnership pairs MEA’s global reach with Happy Moose’s seriously good photo prints.
Together they aim to deliver premium photo prints at scale, paving the way for international growth.
The acquisition builds on MEA’s history of innovation in photo printing, including leading print-on-demand apps Printicular and Photo Prints Now. These connect millions of customers to fast, convenient printing - and now, with Happy Moose in the family, MEA can also offer premium handcrafted products alongside its high-volume services.
Deal terms were not disclosed. The acquisition closed on 8 August 2025.
Monty the Moose is triple-checking customers’ orders," added Macfarlane. "He’s a bit of a perfectionist.
For more information contact MEA at USA: 203.599.1111, NZ: 07.838.2325, AU: 02.909.85.909 or at info@we-are-mea.com.
Press kit with photos and full release available here.
About MEA
MEA develops software for photo printing and fulfilment used by labs and retailers worldwide. Its apps, including Printicular and Photo Prints Now, make it easy to order prints and personalised products for pickup or delivery. MEA operates globally with teams in Connecticut, USA and New Zealand. Learn more at www.meaphototech.com.
About Happy Moose
Happy Moose is a New Zealand print studio known best for photo prints and personalised photo products, produced with meticulous colour and materials. The team handcrafts every order from its Dunedin base with a touch of moose-inspired charm. Learn more at www.happymoose.nz.
Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Saudi Arabia and then to the United States (US) next week to meet with his trade and agriculture counterparts.
In Riyadh, Mr McClay will meet with Minister of Commerce, HE Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, and Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, HE Eng Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, to advance bilateral trade and investment opportunities, including in food and agritech cooperation.
The visit will also be an opportunity discuss how best to leverage the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, for which negotiations concluded last year.
Mr McClay will then travel on to Washington D.C. at the invitation of United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer. He will also meet with U.S. industry representatives, think tanks, and his agriculture counterpart, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
“Following the United States’ 1 August decision to apply a 15 per cent, or more, tariff to ever country with a trade surplus, this visit will be an opportunity to discuss the impact of that decision and better understand the factors that may influence future U.S. tariffs,” Mr McClay says.
“New Zealand and the United States have a long-standing, well-balanced trading relationship, with periods where the US has enjoyed a surplus and times, like now, when New Zealand has a modest one. Overall, our trade is complementary and reflects the strength of a long-standing partnership.
“I will be seeking to understand the effect of any change in trade flows for example, if New Zealand’s current surplus shifted to a deficit, and what that might mean for our exporters,” Mr McClay says.
“The US currently faces an average tariff of just 0.3 per cent when exporting to New Zealand, far lower than what we face into their market.
“It’s important that we raise these concerns constructively, while reaffirming our commitment to the strong, cooperative relationship we have with the United States,” Mr McClay says.
Meetings in Washington will cover wider bilateral trade, investment and agricultural priorities.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Chris Seed will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.
“New Zealand’s strategic partnership with the United States is one of our most important and long-standing relationships,” Mr Peters says.
“It is therefore essential that New Zealand’s Ambassador to the United States has the necessary experience, judgement and influence to effectively represent our country in Washington DC and navigate the range of important and pressing issues that are vital to New Zealanders.
“Mr Seed is one of New Zealand’s most senior and accomplished diplomats and is accordingly the right person for this vital role,” Mr Peters says.
Mr Seed served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2019-2024 and has previously led New Zealand High Commissions in Canberra and Port Moresby. He will take up the role in January 2026.
Mr Seed succeeds Rosemary Banks, who will shortly complete her second term as Ambassador in Washington DC.
“Ms Banks has had a most distinguished diplomatic career, having led New Zealand missions in Paris, New York and Washington,” Mr Peters says.
“Twice Ms Banks has been asked by her Government to serve in Washington DC and we are enormously grateful to her that twice she answered that call to serve with distinction as New Zealand Ambassador to the United States.
“Ms Banks’ long diplomatic experience and her elevated standing amongst her US counterparts, during such a challenging time in global affairs, has seen her contribute greatly to one of New Zealand’s most critical bilateral relationships,” Mr Peters says.
A Bay of Plenty beverage company continues to make waves across high-end venues in New York City, preparing to launch on Amazon while navigating trade tariffs in the process.
Demand for the premium non-alcoholic beverage, Wai Mānuka, is rising rapidly and just four months after launching, the company has secured its third order - a full 20-foot container - more than doubling its two previous shipments.
By the end of August, Wai Mānuka will be stocked in over 100 premium restaurants, cafés, and boutique retailers across the city, with containers now ordered every two to three months.
“To navigate US tariffs, we have to go big,” chief executive Joe Harawira said.
Their US distribution partner is covering most of the 15% tariff, a move Harawira said reflected confidence in market-fit and product potential.
Wai Mānuka is also preparing to launch on Amazon in New York City, giving 10 to 12 million local users the option to have the non-alcoholic elixir delivered directly to their doors.
“This will give us an opportunity to engage directly with customers, build loyalty, and expand our reach,” Harawira said.
Interest is also growing from other key states, including Texas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. But for now, the focus remained on building a strong foundation in New York before expanding too quickly.
Wai Mānuka is seeking investors who bring not only capital but strategic value to help accelerate growth.
“It’s capital-intensive to grow a brand in the US,” Harawira said.
“We’re gaining 25 new accounts every month, and the key is consistent sell-through at scale.”
To reduce landed costs, minimise environmental impact, and navigate tariff hurdles, the company is exploring US-based manufacturing.
Harawira is working closely with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, his US partners, and other industry leads to assess the opportunity.
In a further boost, Harawira has been selected to join a New Zealand trade delegation meeting with native American investors and executives, exploring new pathways for indigenous business collaboration.
He will meet them later this month.
Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/
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