Gift Guide: Bette Flagler

Bette Flagler with gift ideas from the Manawatu.

• Since Jonathan Ormrod launched Jonathan’s Spices in 2000, he has grown the Palmerston North company from a small local depot of specialty spices to a nationwide supplier of seasonings including relishes, spiced salts, hot sauces, chilli oil and chipotle chilli powder. Jonathan’s products are available at gourmet food outlets throughout New Zealand and corporate gift baskets can be ordered directly from the company. I like the products because they are tasty and of high quality but I really like the company because Jonathan’s first career was as a plasterer in the building trade – you have to love someone who gives up plaster for food. www.jonathansspices.co.nz 06 358 1417

• If you want to surprise the wine-lovers on your holiday gift-list, send a bottle of wine from Pohangina Valley Estate. Most people don’t even know that the Manawatu region has a commercial vineyard, but this family-run estate grows Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, olive oil and an “unidentified” variety called Pohangina Red. I haven’t had a chance to try the 2008 release of Pohangina Red (called “2008 Totara Reserve”), but it’s meant to be great for picnics, so I suspect a number of bottles will be going with us to the beach. Grapes are all estate-grown in the stunning Pohangina Valley, and the wine is made in Wairarapa. www.pohanginavalleyestate.co.nz or phone 06 354 7948.

• Crosshills Gardens and Nursery in rural Kimbolton has been owned and operated by the Wilson family since 1938 and is known for is its more than 2000 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. Plants can be shipped to any New Zealand location and, because most are ready for dispatch during July and August, gift vouchers are available for holiday giving. www.crosshills.co.nz or phone 06 328 5797.

• For those of us who can’t be bothered making their own Christmas cakes but who want ones that don’t taste like a fruity doorstop, order one from Hester Guy Cooks for You, a Palmerston North catering company owned and operated by its namesake chef and former television cooking-show star. The cakes, which retail for $45 (non-boxed) to $50 (boxed), can be delivered anywhere in New Zealand. www.hesterguy.co.nz or phone 06 356 6733.

• I really like the idea of buying gift packs for some of those more difficult on my holiday list. The Herb Farm in Ashhurst has been making natural skincare products since 1993 and offers a range of packages designed to suit the needs of gardeners, men, newborns, new parents, those with “mature skin” and those who’d like to be pampered. The ingredients are all natural – most are grown on-site – and are affordable with retail prices between $37 and $50. You can order online or buy at nearly 80 stockists around the country. www.herbfarm.co.nz or phone 06 326 8633.

• Without doubt, Palmerston North-based Paul Dibble is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated sculptors. He’s also the artist who created 'The Southern Stand' at the New Zealand Memorial in London’s Hyde Park and while you’re probably unlikely to commission that magnitude of work for a holiday gift, a more manageably sized piece can be found at a number of galleries around New Zealand, including Taylor Jensen in Dibble’s hometown. www.finearts.co.nz or phone 06 355 4278.

• In 1999, Christall Rata, a Feilding-based artist, developed a technique that creates net-like textiles from Harakeke leaves. The result, which she has trademarked hapene, is a derivation of the Maori word hapine which means 'to scrape flax’. Christall’s work is beautiful and delicate and customers can buy ribbon, individual leaves and flowers or bouquets, arrangements and centrepieces. www.hapene.com or phone 06 323 6867.

• Anna Gratton has a boutique wool mill in Feilding where she and her team grow and shear a flock of Corriedale sheep as well as design, spin and dye the wool (they also make blends using wool, silk, mohair, rayon and nylon). The selection in the shop is gorgeous but if you can’t get there, make your choices on line or order a set of sample cards (17 at $1 each). www.annagratton.co.nz or phone 06 328 6868.

• Vonnie Sterritt is a local landscape painter who is highly respected for her depiction of New Zealand native trees and bush. In October, Vonnie had a showing of new works which included Manawatu macrocarpas, Nikau palm, cabbage trees and areas including the Manawatu Gorge, Heaphy Track and Tongariro National Park. Her paintings are gorgeous and fitting of the overworked term “iconic”. If there is someone on the holiday gift-list who loves New Zealand nature, consider splurging on a painting by Vonnie. www.artsterritt.co.nz 

• Lots of towns have chocolate shops, but only Palmerston North has Munchkins. The boxed handmade fudge makes great stuffing for a Christmas sock and comes in all sorts of exotic flavours (my favourites are the traditionals, though: maple walnut and chocolate). Munchkins has a full range of handmade chocolates and the same people own a flower shop, so sweets can be incorporated into gift baskets and hampers. www.munchkins.net.nz or phone 06 356 4612.