TGFC Producer Spotlight

Introducing Pete and Mrs Pete from Pete's Natural

Pete’s Natural Sodas are a family-owned business in sunny Motueka. Their recipes are a closely guarded secret, tested many times with whānau and friends before the final formula was nailed for their first delicious boutique lemonade back in 2009.

Everything they make has no additives, no concentrates from overseas, no preservatives or artificial flavours, and no hidden nasties. They now make a variety of refreshing boutique sodas that are perfect on their own or as a base for your cocktail or mocktail creations! Find out more about Pete and Mrs Pete here. 

TGFC/ How did you get started?

Pete & Mrs Pete/ Pete wanted to create something to help use some of what would otherwise have been wasted unpicked NZ fruit.

Everything we make is from and made in New Zealand, with only natural ingredients. Without additives, concentrates, preservatives or artificial flavours.  All our sodas are made with freshly squeezed juice from spray-free fruits sourced from all over New Zealand.

We support local growers, as we believe Fair Trade starts at home!

TGFC/ What makes Pete’s Natural special?

Pete & Mrs Pete/ We created a natural healthier alternative to the standard sugary sodas and have been pumping out soda drinks from our solar powered factory for the past 12 years proving natural can taste good.

Our sodas are sustainably made, in recyclable glass bottles that are made from up to 70% recycled glass and we use paper labels. You won’t find any plastic on a Pete’s Natural product.

TGFC/ How can you tell the difference between a Pete’s Natural and regular soda?

Pete & Mrs Pete/ Being natural you will see the sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This reinforces that this is an entirely natural product.  Plus, with a simple ingredient list that people can understand, you will know exactly what you’re drinking.

TGFC/ Do you have any advice to people interested in making their own products?

Pete & Mrs Pete/ Mrs Pete and I have been making sodas for over a decade. The goal was to create a drink that was natural, had lower sugar and only used NZ-grown fruit. We did it, and now we have 12 different flavours.⁠ My advice to you is - You can do it, just start doing it⁠.⁠

⁠TGFC/ What’s your most popular product?

Pete & Mrs Pete/ The classic lemonade continues to be the hero. All the drinks are best served icy cold.

TGFC/ Have you won any awards?

Pete & Mrs Pete/ Pete’s Natural continues to prove that natural can taste good with six of the flavours winning an award. 

This includes:

Artisan awards 2022

• Kola - Gold
• Raspberry-kola - Gold
• Lemon Manuka Swichel - Bronze
• Hemp Manuka goodness - Bronze
  

2022 NZ Food Producer Awards

• Feijoa lemonade - Bronze
  

2021 NZ Food Producer Awards

• Lemonade - Bronze
  
  

The Pete's Natural lemonade is so popular and versatile that we've featured it in many of The Good Food Collective Giftboxes. Take a look at the range here.