Where to Buy Mead in New Zealand (2026 Guide)

Written By Sam Callander

Mead is one of the world's oldest alcoholic drinks, yet many New Zealanders have never tried it. That's changing.

Craft meaderies are appearing around Aotearoa, each producing their own interpretation of this ancient drink using local honey, native flora and modern winemaking techniques. Whether you're looking for a traditional mead, a dry wine-style mead, or something flavoured with fruit or spices, there are now some excellent options available.

This guide brings together some of the best places to buy quality mead in New Zealand.

Buy Direct from New Zealand Meaderies

Undisturbed Meadery (Christchurch)

Website:www.undisturbed.nz

Undisturbed Meadery is a Christchurch-based producer specialising in premium small-batch mead crafted from distinctive New Zealand honeys including Mānuka, Kānuka and Honeydew.

Rather than producing a single house style, Undisturbed explores how different floral sources create dramatically different meads—much like different grape varieties create different wines. Seasonal releases, limited vintages and native New Zealand ingredients are a strong focus.

If you're new to mead, the website also contains one of New Zealand's largest collections of educational articles covering mead history, sustainability, food pairing and honey varieties.

Useful links:

Best for:

  • Premium native honey meads

  • Gift bottles

  • Seasonal releases

  • Learning about mead

Honey Bandit Mead (Auckland)

Website:honeybandit.co.nz

Honey Bandit has built a reputation for creating modern, approachable meads with plenty of creativity. Their range includes traditional meads, session meads, fruit meads, barrel-aged releases and experimental small batches.

Founder Adam Read has a background in viticulture and winemaking, bringing a contemporary perspective to one of humanity's oldest drinks.

Useful links:

Best for:

  • Modern craft mead

  • Session meads

  • Fruit meads

  • Experimental releases

Wild Fern Mead

Website:www.wildfern.co.nz

Wild Fern produces handcrafted New Zealand meads with an emphasis on traditional styles alongside approachable modern expressions. Their range has become well known among mead enthusiasts and is stocked through a number of specialist retailers around New Zealand.

Useful links:

Best for:

  • Traditional mead

  • Honey wine styles

  • Classic mead drinkers

Specialist Mead Retailers

Although mead is still a relatively small category in New Zealand, several retailers have built reputations for stocking quality local meads.

Huka Honey Hive (Taupō)

Huka Honey Hive is one of New Zealand's best-known honey destinations. Alongside their honey products, they stock a selection of premium New Zealand meads, making it an excellent stop for visitors wanting to experience New Zealand honey in both its natural and fermented forms.

Website:
www,hukahoneyhive.co.nz

Colony (Christchurch)

Located at The Crossing in central Christchurch, Colony has a long history with New Zealand honey and mead. The store regularly stocks a curated range of local meads and is one of the few specialist retailers where you can often taste products before purchasing.

Alongside mead you'll find honey, honey liqueurs, gifts and other premium New Zealand products.

Website:
www.colonystores.com

Can I buy Mead in an NZ Liquor Store?

Sometime, but not always, it is worth checking with the store if they have mead before setting out. Here are stores in Christchurch with Undisturbed NZ mead, for example,

Which Mead Should You Try First?

That depends on what you already enjoy drinking.

If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc or dry Riesling, start with a dry traditional mead.

If you like Pinot Gris or Chardonnay, a medium mead made from native honey is a great introduction.

If you enjoy dessert wines or Port, richer traditional or barrel-aged meads may suit your palate.

If you enjoy craft beer or cider, try a session mead or sparkling mead.

The wonderful thing about mead is that there isn't one flavour. Just as wine changes depending on the grape, mead changes depending on the honey.

Why New Zealand Produces Such Interesting Mead

New Zealand is uniquely positioned to produce world-class mead.

Our landscapes contain remarkable floral diversity, including iconic native species such as Mānuka and Kānuka, alongside Honeydew forests and extensive clover pastures. These distinctive honeys create flavour profiles that simply can't be replicated elsewhere.

By supporting New Zealand meaderies you're also supporting local beekeepers, honey producers and regional biodiversity.

The Future of Mead in New Zealand

The New Zealand mead scene is still young, but it continues to grow each year as more drinkers discover this remarkably diverse beverage.

Whether you're buying your very first bottle or searching for something truly special, there's never been a better time to explore what New Zealand meaderies have to offer.

Happy tasting.

Sam Callander
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