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How to Build the Perfect Kiwi Expat Care Package
— Sweet As Tees Blog
Building a care package for a Kiwi living overseas? Here's exactly what to include β the food, the cultural touches, and the things that make a homesick Kiwi feel seen.
There are roughly 900,000 New Zealanders living overseas. Every single one of them has, at some point, wanted something from home. Not something expensive. Something specific. Something that says: we remember what you like, and we know exactly what's missing.
That's the whole point of a Kiwi expat care package. Not a gift that's impressive from the outside β one that hits right on the inside. Here's how to build one.
The Core Components of a Kiwi Care Package
Every good Kiwi expat care package covers at least three of these four categories:
The Taste of Home β food and drink that can't be replicated overseas
Cultural Identity β something that says "this is where you're from"
The Personal Touch β something specific to this person, not just generic Kiwi stuff
The Practical β something they'll actually use and reach for regularly
The best care packages hit all four. Let's break each one down.
The Taste of Home β What to Include
This is the emotional heart of any Kiwi care package. The food items that bring back specific memories β summer holidays, school lunches, Friday nights at the bach. Non-negotiables:
Absolute Must-Haves
NZ Marmite β and be very clear that this is NZ Marmite, not British Marmite, not Vegemite. They are different products. Only the NZ one will do.
Whittaker's chocolate β specifically the flavours that aren't available overseas. Peanut butter block, creamy milk, hokey pokey. Buy multiples.
L&P β World Famous in New Zealand. Genuinely hard to find elsewhere. If you can post a couple of cans or a bottle, do it.
Wattie's tomato sauce β the specific flavour of Kiwi summer barbecues. Nothing else is the same.
Strong Additions
Pineapple Lumps or Jaffas β these are intensely nostalgic and very lightweight to post
Tim Tams β available in Australia but not reliably elsewhere, and the NZ-bought ones always seem better
Anzac biscuits (homemade if you can manage it β this elevates a care package enormously)
A bag of proper NZ coffee beans if they're a coffee person
A small jar of mΔnuka honey β specifically for a Kiwi who's been sick or living somewhere cold and grey
Cultural Identity β The Wearable Part
A Sweet As Tees t-shirt is the single best cultural item to include in a Kiwi expat care package. Here's why it works:
It's wearable identity β they can put it on and immediately feel the connection to home
It's a conversation starter abroad β other Kiwis will recognise the slang instantly
It's not a novelty item β it's quality clothing they'll actually wear regularly
It ships flat, weighs almost nothing, and packs perfectly
The right design depends on the person. Sweet As New Zealand for the one who misses home the most. Living the Dreamβ¦ Barely for the one who's grinding hard overseas and needs a laugh. Chur The Legend for the one you genuinely think is a legend. You can also order direct to their address β no need to include it in the posted package.
The Personal Touch
This is what separates a good care package from a great one:
A handwritten note or letter β Kiwis are sentimental underneath the she'll-be-right exterior. An actual handwritten note is worth more than anything else in the box.
Something specific to their hometown β a postcard from their home town, a local newspaper clipping, a photo from a place they love
An inside joke β something that's funny specifically to the two of you, not generically "Kiwi"
Local news β if there's something happening in their town or with their team that you know they'll care about
Practical Considerations for Posting
What Posts Well
Sealed, non-perishable food items
Clothing and textiles (flat, light, no customs issues)
Books and paper items
What Doesn't Post Well
Liquids (risk of leaking)
Fresh food (won't survive transit)
Glass (pack very carefully if you must)
Aerosols (often restricted)
Check Customs Rules for Their Country
Most countries allow commercially packaged food. The UK has strict import rules post-Brexit on some items. Australia and the US generally allow sealed commercial food products. Always check the specific country's customs regulations before posting food items.
Care Package Budget Guide
Under $50: Marmite + Whittaker's + Pineapple Lumps + a handwritten note. Simple, emotional, effective.
$50β$100: Add a Sweet As Tees tee. The complete package β food, culture, wearable identity.
$100+: The full works. Multiple food items, a tee, a book, something personal, a thoughtful note. The kind of package that makes a Kiwi expat actually cry.
FAQ β Kiwi Expat Care Package
What should I put in a Kiwi expat care package? NZ Marmite, Whittaker's chocolate, L&P, Wattie's sauce, Pineapple Lumps, a Sweet As Tees t-shirt, and a handwritten note. Cover food, cultural identity, and personal touch for maximum impact. Can I post food in a care package to New Zealand expats overseas? Most commercially packaged food posts fine to most countries. Check the specific destination country's customs rules. The UK, US, and Australia generally allow sealed commercial food products. What NZ food do expats miss most? NZ Marmite (specifically the NZ version), Whittaker's chocolate, L&P, Wattie's tomato sauce, Pineapple Lumps, and fresh fish and chips (unpossible to post, but tell them you had some). Can I order a Sweet As Tees t-shirt to send directly to an expat overseas? Yes β Sweet As Tees ships worldwide. Order directly to their address for the cleanest option. No post office, no customs hassle on your end.