Tī-Toki is a distinctive New Zealand botanical liqueur brand first established in 1979, now handcrafted in Hawke’s Bay using mānuka honey, kawakawa, Gisborne orange and tītoki.
Tī-Toki is a New Zealand botanical liqueur with a story dating back to 1979. Originally created by Diana Balich following several years of experimentation with native botanicals, the spirit became recognised for its distinctly New Zealand ingredients and its memorable ceramic tekoteko vessel.
Today, Tī-Toki is owned by artists Karuna and Todd Douglas, who have worked alongside Master Distiller Blair Nicholl and The National Distillery Company to create the contemporary expression. Production takes place in Hawke’s Bay, where the spirit is distilled, matured, blended and bottled.
Tī-Toki begins with a spirit produced from whey, making use of a by-product of New Zealand’s dairy industry. Mānuka honey is processed using a specialised cold separation technique designed to retain its natural aromatic character before being combined with copper-distilled botanicals.
The botanical profile brings together mānuka honey, kawakawa fruit, Gisborne orange and tītoki leaf. Mānuka honey contributes floral richness and sweetness, while kawakawa provides warming spice. Gisborne orange adds bright citrus and marmalade-like notes, complemented by the greener, earthy character of tītoki.
The brand also maintains a strong connection with its original presentation. Tī-Toki’s limited-edition ceramic vessel is made from New Zealand clay and formed in the shape of a tekoteko, continuing a design closely associated with the spirit since its original release.
