It’s not enough to produce one of the best teas in the world. No, Zealong’s aspiration is to produce the best tea in the world from right here in the Waikato.

And with dynamo general manager Gigi Crawford at the helm, there is every possibility that it could indeed be crowned the world’s best tea in the near future.

Zealong Tea Estate is nestled in the Gordonton countryside. The only commercial tea estate in New Zealand, it produces 100 per cent certified organic tea that is revered around the world and the recipient of many international awards.

Gigi has been running Zealong since 2009. She’s the driving force behind the company, travelling the world to spread the word. 

Talking to her about the tea, the brand, the estate… her passion is evident. She brings out the three A3 folders full of media coverage from around the world… CNN in the States, Dutch TV, Malaysia, Germany… talking a mile a minute about what makes Zealong so unique and her aspirations to put the Waikato on the map for its tea production.

But it’s not just tea that Zealong is making a name for itself for. It’s the beautiful art and hospitality at the estate itself.

The expansive views around the estate change with the weather. It’s moody on a foggy winter’s day, the sculptures shrouded in mist. It’s picturesque and serene on the spring day when The Waikato Story visited.

The food… the high teas… everything they serve up are nothing short of Instagram-worthy. The epitome of food porn. 

Everything is done at Zealong to an exacting standard. Gigi insists. 

That includes the level of service provided by those who work at Zealong. 

Many staff have been there for several years, often starting out in junior roles and working their way up with Gigi providing training, guidance and advice all the way.

“I teach them that there are no shortcuts, but we also provide plenty of opportunities. We see their potential and help pull people up. We invest in them.”

Annalese Webber is a prime example. She had no hospitality experience, but the Zealong advertisement seeking hospitality staff didn’t specify any previous experience. Instead, it said they wanted to hear from people who could speak more than one language.

Fluent in German, Annalese applied. She got the job and started in Zealong’s hospitality sector, serving high tea to guests in the Tea House. She’s worked her way up and is now a marketing executive. 

Annalese’s fluency in German is helpful when dealing with Zealong’s German stockists. And there are plenty of them. About 15 per cent of Zealong’s products go to Germany where they are stocked in 123 outlets. That popularity translates to the number of tourists who visit the tea estate – Zealong staff have noticed a marked increase in German visitors since they secured the German deal.

Just as Zealong is stocked around the world, so too is that diversity is reflected in the Zealong staff line-up.

“There’s a common misconception that this is a Chinese operation. There are 26 nationalities represented at Zealong. Those who weren’t born here have all chosen the Waikato as our home. We are Kiwis.”

The company’s investment into its people – including providing health insurance for all full-time staff – means staff turnover is low. Many have been there for five years, some longer. And when they do leave – “often for family reasons… a partner has a job elsewhere, for example” – staff keep in touch.

“We’re very much a family here,” Gigi says, with a huge smile.

“The ones who’ve immigrated here I spend a lot of time with encouraging them to learn about New Zealand, its culture, the political parties, the places and the people. It helps them to learn and grow and, in turn, they help us to grow and be the best at what we do.”

They’re almost victims of their success. To begin with, Zealong had to bring in expert tea pickers from Asia to pick during the three harvests each year. Then, they began to train up local residents – many of them refugees. But they’re now so good that other primary food producers – blueberry growers, for example – poach their pickers.

Gigi talks at length about growing up in Singapore and how that meant you couldn’t wait for opportunity to come knocking – you have to create your own opportunities. And that’s just what the Zealong team is doing.

While uptake in New Zealand has been slow, Gigi has a full diary pursuing opportunities with stockists around the world. The European market is proving lucrative for Zealong.

Closer to home, Gigi has been in talks with the NZ Film Commission and provided them with an impressive show reel of still images of the estate that they can show to potential film producers scouting New Zealand locations.

“We want to put the Waikato on the map for growing exquisite, organic tea, but we also want to contribute by attracting tourism here. We’re in this for the long haul.”