Full Breakdown
National Distillery Company of Napier Enters Voluntary Liquidation
6/24/2026, 12:42:24 PM
Core Event: Voluntary Liquidation Announcement
In June 2026, The National Distillery Company—a Napier-based producer of gin, vodka, rum, liqueurs and brandy—filed for voluntary liquidation. The decision was posted on a front-door sign and reported by *Hawke’s Bay Today*. Creditors have been invited to submit claims, and a liquidator’s report detailing outstanding debts has not yet been released.
Background & Context
Founded in 2019 by co-founders Blair Nicholl and Ricardo Reis, the distillery quickly earned multiple awards and exported its spirits across New Zealand and the United States, with ambitions to enter Asian markets. It operated from the leased National Tobacco Building in Ahuriri, Napier, and employed eight staff members.
Timeline of Key Developments
- 2019 – Company established; product line launched.
- 2023 – Cyclone Gabrielle strikes; distillery releases “Cyclone Recovery Dry Gin,” donating 80 % of proceeds to relief efforts.
- 2024-2025 – Ongoing pressures from Covid-19, rising operating costs, shifting consumer spending, and export-market challenges.
- June 2026 – Voluntary liquidation declared; active sale process initiated; assets placed under liquidators Damien Grant and Adam Botterill of Waterstone.
Data & Statistics
- Staff: eight employees.
- Product portfolio: gin, vodka, rum, liqueurs, brandy.
- Distribution: nationwide in New Zealand and the United States; planned expansion to Asia.
- Ownership: building leased, not owned.
Official Statements & Responses
Co-founder Blair Nicholl described the liquidation as “the most responsible course of action” after a “combination of challenges” that included the pandemic, Cyclone Gabrielle, rising costs and export-market pressures. He indicated that the company’s stock and assets are now under liquidators’ control and that an “active sale process” offers a pathway for the brands to continue. Nicholl also confirmed that employee entitlements are being addressed within the liquidation framework.
Criticism & Opposition
Industry analysts note that recent disruptions disproportionately affected smaller distilleries, arguing that the convergence of Covid-19 restrictions and natural-disaster impacts created heightened vulnerability for firms like The National Distillery Company. Analysts caution that the sector’s supply-chain resilience remains uncertain.
On-the-Ground Reports
A sign on the front door read, “Closed until further notice – many apologies to our many loyal customers.” The distillery’s website was taken offline, and the cellar door in the National Tobacco Building was shuttered, leaving visitors unable to sample or purchase products on site.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The liquidators have not yet published a detailed report on the company’s liabilities, leaving the total amount owed to creditors unknown. Information on which assets will be sold, potential buyers, and the timeline for brand transfer remains pending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Personally, myself and the directors are absolutely gutted that we couldn’t find a way to keep the business operating in its current form,” — Blair Nicholl, Co-founder and Director
- “We put everything we had into building this company and are incredibly proud of what the team achieved.” — Blair Nicholl
- “Ultimately, liquidation became the most responsible course of action.” — Blair Nicholl
- “Like many businesses, we faced a combination of challenges over recent years, including Covid-19, Cyclone Gabrielle, rising operating costs, changing consumer spending patterns, broader economic pressures and challenges in our export markets.” — Blair Nicholl
- “employee entitlements are continuing to be worked through as part of the liquidation process” — Blair Nicholl
Why It Matters
The closure removes a leading craft-spirit brand from New Zealand’s market, potentially reducing consumer choice and altering export dynamics. The case underscores the fragility of small-scale producers amid economic shocks and natural disasters, prompting broader discussion on industry support mechanisms.
What’s Next
The appointed liquidators will conduct an asset sale, aiming to preserve the distillery’s brands under new ownership. Work on employee entitlements and creditor claims will continue, while the industry watches for outcomes that could shape future resilience strategies.
