Gifts and Souvenirs
Celebrate the magic of Great Barrier Island.
Natural and Organic
Products good for nutrition, health, and your well-being.
Nature and Outdoors
Hats, sun protection, surfboard wax, and more to take outdoors with you.
Pigeon Post: Gateway to the world
Late in the 19th century, the ‘Pigeon Post’ already connected the island to the rest of the world, with messages tied to the legs of birds. Now Pigeon Post still does that, even if we are using more conventional means to send letters, parcels, and gifts from Great Barrier Island.
Come and visit our little shop – in person or online – and explore art and craft inspired by this unique island, nearly off the map on New Zealand’s Pacific Coast.
Mementos and more from Great Barrier Island
Our products by category
Need a last minute gift?
If you are on the island, we have gifts for all occasions on display in our shop. Open 6 days a week.
Free shipping
Within New Zealand, shipping on orders over $100 is free.
100% money back
If the item didn’t suit you (excl shipping costs).
Choose now, pay online, and have your order delivered (nearly) anywhere in the world.
The Pigeon Post story
It took 75 hours for news of the disastrous Wairarapa shipwreck on October 29, 1894, to reach Auckland. At a commemorative event one year later, a pigeon named “Ariel” was used to send news reports back to the mainland. That pigeon became the forerunner of the world’s first airmail service.
Former resident Don Armitage collected research about this story on his Great Barrier Island history site.
About us
In 2020 Ruark brought his wife Kirsty and their two daughters back to the island where he had spent his childhood. They restored the homestead his father had built in a remote bay with boat access only.
Every weekday morning, whatever the weather, Ruark jumps in the water to get his launch ready for the ride to the landing, so that the postal shop is open and the children can be at school on time.
