Top 10 Luxury Hand-Poured Candle Brands in New Zealand
Luxury hand-poured candles in New Zealand are known for craftsmanship, refined fragrance, and thoughtful design. If you are shopping for yourself or choosing a meaningful gift, NZ has no shortage of excellent options.
Now, full disclosure.
We think you are probably already in the right place. But in the name of fairness and transparency, we created this list anyway.
These are some of the most respected hand-poured candle brands in New Zealand, chosen for consistency, burn quality, scent experience, and reputation. Each entry includes a short, honest note about who the brand tends to suit best.
Best Luxury Hand-Poured Candle Brands in NZ (In no particular order)
New Zealand has a genuinely strong artisan candle scene
Hand-poured usually means better quality control and testing
Different brands suit different scent preferences and spaces
The best candle is the one that burns well in your home, not just the one that looks good online
1. Ecoya
Best for: Safe gifting and familiar luxury
Ecoya is New Zealand’s most recognisable luxury candle brand. Founded in 2004, it is widely stocked and instantly giftable. Their hand-poured soy candles are designed to appeal to a broad audience, with clean, approachable fragrances and polished packaging.
If you want something reliable that most people will enjoy, Ecoya is a dependable choice.
2. Ashley & Co
Best for: Design lovers and fragrance creativity
Ashley & Co describes its candles as “waxed perfumes”, which is fitting. The brand is known for distinctive scent blends, modern typography, and minimalist vessels. Hand-poured in New Zealand using natural wax and cotton wicks, these candles appeal to buyers who enjoy fragrance as an art form.
Great for people who like their candles to feel considered and a little unexpected.
3. Living Light
Best for: Timeless, everyday luxury
Living Light is one of New Zealand’s original luxury candle makers, with roots going back to the late 1990s. Based in Golden Bay, the brand is known for natural ingredients, classic styling, and a calm, understated presence.
These are candles that quietly elevate a space rather than announce themselves.
4. George & Edi
Best for: Strong but balanced scent lovers
Founded in Wanaka, George & Edi has built a loyal following through consistent performance and layered fragrance profiles. Their hand-poured candles are known for noticeable scent throw without tipping into overpowering.
If you like walking into a room and clearly noticing the fragrance, this brand is a solid choice.
5. Nevé
Best for: Sustainability-minded buyers who like texture and sound
Nevé specialises in hand-poured soy candles with wood wicks that produce a gentle crackle when lit. The brand places a strong emphasis on ethical production, reusable vessels, and refined, modern fragrances.
A good option for those who enjoy both the sensory and environmental aspects of candles.
6. Downlights
Best for: Meaningful gifting with impact
Downlights is an award-winning social enterprise producing hand-poured candles in Auckland. The candles are made by young people with disabilities and Down syndrome, combining quality fragrance with a powerful mission.
These candles feel good to give and good to support.
7. Amberjack
Best for: Earthy scents and relaxed, modern spaces
Amberjack is a boutique brand known for its amber glass jars and distinctive, grounded fragrance blends. Hand-poured in small batches, the candles offer strong scent performance with an approachable, unfussy aesthetic.
A favourite for people who like warmth, depth, and a slightly moodier vibe.
8. Kingdom Candles
Best for: Accessible everyday luxury
Kingdom produces hand-poured soy candles designed and made in New Zealand. The brand blends contemporary design with nature-inspired scents and is widely available.
These candles sit comfortably between premium and practical, making them easy to live with day to day.
9. The Virtue
Best for: Statement pieces and fragrance enthusiasts
The Virtue sits firmly in the ultra-luxury category. Based in New Plymouth, the brand creates hand-poured candles with bold, complex fragrances and sculptural vessels.
These are not background candles. They are designed to be noticed.
10. Hivern
Best for: Story-driven, immersive experiences
Hivern is a Wellington-based boutique brand focused on storytelling through scent. Each hand-poured candle is inspired by places, memories, and moments, often paired with a curated music playlist.
Ideal for buyers who see candles as an experience rather than just a product.
How to Choose the Right NZ Candle Brand
There is no single “best” luxury candle brand in New Zealand. The right choice depends on how you want your space to feel.
Ask yourself:
Do I want subtle or noticeable fragrance?
Is this for daily use or gifting?
Do I care more about design, sustainability, or scent performance?
Answering those questions will narrow the list quickly.
Looking for a Clean, Modern NZ Candle?
As we said at the start, we think you are already in the right place. But if you are exploring your options and value clean burning, refined fragrance, and candles designed to perform well in real homes, you can explore our Sachii collection or learn more about proper candle care.
Shop hand-poured candles: https://www.sachii.co.nz/collections
Candle care guide: https://www.sachii.co.nz/articles
