Finding the perfect souvenir to bring back home can be a stressful task, especially when your travel budget is nearing its end. Fortunately, New Zealand has an incredible culture of “Kiwiana”—quirky, unique, and delicious items that perfectly encapsulate the Kiwi lifestyle without costing a fortune.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars at high-end tourist gift shops. If you know exactly what to look for at local supermarkets, pharmacies, and bargain stores, you can bag some of the absolute best New Zealand keepsakes for less than $20 NZD.
Here is a curated local’s guide to the top 5 best souvenirs under $20 in New Zealand.
1. Whittakers Artisan Chocolate Blocks
While you can buy standard chocolate anywhere, Whittaker’s is New Zealand’s undisputed national chocolate brand, and it is passionately loved by locals.
- Why it’s a perfect souvenir: Their “Artisan Collection” features premium, heavy blocks made with unique local ingredients sourced from different regions of New Zealand, such as Marlborough Sea Salt, West Coast Buttermilk, or Wellington Roasted Coffee. They look sophisticated and taste absolutely world-class.
- Where to buy: Any major local supermarket (Woolworths, New World, Pak’nSave).
- Average Price: $5 – $7 NZD per large block.
2. Ecostore & Earth Botanics Triple-Milled Soaps
New Zealanders are incredibly proud of their clean, green eco-friendly lifestyle, and bringing home high-quality local botanical skincare is always a massive hit.
- Why it’s a perfect souvenir: Brands like Ecostore or Earth Botanics make beautifully packaged, plant-based, triple-milled soap bars infused with iconic New Zealand ingredients like Manuka Honey, Lemongrass, or Rosehip. They smell incredible, are beautifully wrapped, and are highly practical.
- Where to buy: Supermarkets or local pharmacies (Chemist Warehouse / Life Pharmacy).
- Average Price: $3 – $14 NZD depending on the brand.
3. Lucas’ Papaw Ointment – The Iconic Red Tube
Originating from Australia but fiercely loved and widely used by every single household in New Zealand, this iconic red tube is the ultimate “holy grail” of multi-purpose ointments.
- Why it’s a perfect souvenir: Made from fermented papaya, it acts as a natural lip balm, a soothing cream for minor burns and cuts, and a savior for mosquito bites or dry skin. It is the southern hemisphere’s equivalent to Tiger Balm! Every traveler leaves the country with at least two of these in their bag.
- Where to buy: Any local pharmacy (Chemist Warehouse, Life Pharmacy) or large supermarkets.
- Average Price: $6 – $8 NZD per 25g tube.
4. Bio-Oil (60ml) – The Ultimate Skin Savior
While widely available globally, buying Bio-Oil in New Zealand pharmacies is highly cost-effective and a massive staple in Kiwi bathroom cabinets for skin hydration.
- Why it’s a perfect souvenir: Famous for its breakthrough ingredient, Purcellin Oil, it is incredibly lightweight and non-greasy. Locals and travelers love it for fading scars, stretch marks, and uneven skin tone, or simply using it as a deep face and body moisturizer during dry seasons.
- Where to buy: Bargain pharmacies (Chemist Warehouse) or local supermarkets.
- Average Price: $12 – $15 NZD for the 60ml bottle.
5. Fix & Fogg Specialty Peanut Butter
Can peanut butter really be a souvenir? If it’s from Fix & Fogg, absolutely yes. Starting from a tiny window in a Wellington alleyway, this boutique brand has achieved a global cult following.
- Why it’s a perfect souvenir: They take ordinary peanut butter and turn it into an award-winning gourmet experience. Their unique flavor combinations, packed into beautifully designed glass jars, are unlike anything else in the world. It’s the ultimate gift for foodies.
- What to get: Try the “Everything Butter” (packed with eight healthy seeds and nuts) or the decadent “Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter”.
- Where to buy: High-end supermarkets (New World) or organic grocers.
- Average Price: $7 – $9 NZD per jar.
Summary of NZ’s Top 5 Souvenirs Under $20:
- Whittaker’s Artisan Chocolate: Best for a delicious, universally loved crowd-pleaser ($5 – $7 NZD).
- Local Eco/Botanical Soaps: Best for lightweight, beautifully scented, and practical skincare gifts ($3 – $14 NZD).
- Lucas’ Papaw Ointment: Best for a multi-purpose pocket ointment and lip balm trusted by locals ($6 – $8 NZD).
- Bio-Oil (60ml): Best for a premium, non-greasy facial and body oil at a bargain price ($12 – $15 NZD).
- Fix & Fogg Gourmet Butter: Best for foodies looking for unique, award-winning culinary flavors ($7 – $9 NZD).
Pro Local Tip: Avoid buying your food or skincare souvenirs at airport duty-free shops or dedicated tourist souvenir stores downtown. They often charge double the price for the exact same items you can find sitting on the shelves of a standard local Pak’nSave, Woolworths, or Chemist Warehouse!
Are you looking to satisfy a sweet tooth with some Whittaker’s chocolate, or do you prefer a jar of gourmet Fix & Fogg butter? Let me know in the comments below!