Learning About the World of Tea

To understand tea properly, John and Amanda went to the source. Their first trip was to Sri Lanka, where they attended a tea expo and visited multiple tea estates to discover the depth of the industry. They saw how different teas were grown, harvested and processed. They learned that nearly every tea in the world comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and that it is the character of the region, the processing and oxidation, and the skill of the blender that creates the enormous range of varieties and flavours people enjoy.

From there, John travelled to the tea-growing villages of Fujian province in China, where he learned about Tie guan yin, a tea the locals call Iron Goddess of Mercy. He watched a tea master with 60 years of experience sort through baskets of oolong, separating leaves by quality with a precision that could not be taught in a classroom. He visited Hamburg, a historic hub for tea and herbal blending, where suppliers with 150 years of experience advised on what might work for the New Zealand market.

Those relationships remain central to how t leaf T operates today. We work with trusted suppliers around the world, sourcing peppermint from Washington State for its high menthol content, ginger from Nigeria for its clean, bright flavour, and lemongrass from Thailand. Where a tea or herb comes from matters as much as what it is. Swap one ingredient for a cheaper alternative from a different region, and the flavour changes entirely.

Starting Small, Dreaming Big

In 2005, the van Gorps took the leap. They found half a unit on Union Street in Petone, shared with another company, and imported around 130 different teas. The plan was straightforward: bring a wide range of quality teas to New Zealand and let customers decide what they wanted. Within six months, about 30 varieties had been cut. The rest stayed, and the range kept growing — because every tea drinker is looking for something a little different.

The early days were not easy. Amanda kept working as a marketing manager while John threw himself into the business full time. Like most startups, money went out faster than it came in. They invested in a website at a time when online shopping was still finding its feet. They opened a retail store in Dukes Arcade, on the corner of Willis and Manners in central Wellington. They launched a wholesale division.

It was a big call. A young family, a mortgage, and the real possibility of losing it all.

Creating Something Distinctly New Zealand

Their growing global knowledge found a local expression in a range of New Zealand botanical blends. John would walk through Trelick Park in Wellington with the family chocolate lab, picking kawakawa leaves to dry at home. Blended with lemongrass and ginger, the result is a tea with just three ingredients that has become one of t leaf T's best sellers: Kawakawa Fire. New Zealand Breakfast followed, combining a strong, malty Assam with a touch of manuka leaf to give it a distinctly Kiwi character. These have since been joined by several further additions that also benefit from unique Kiwi ingredients.

Tea blending is precise work, and getting these recipes right takes patience and testing. The smallest change in one ingredient can shift the entire flavour profile, so each blend is developed with care and a willingness to start again when it is not working.

A Family Business in Every Sense

t leaf T has always been a family enterprise. John and Amanda's three children grew up alongside the business, all contributing in different ways, particularly during their late teens.

Their youngest son, Jack, worked in the factory over his final year, packing teas and being part of the daily rhythm as a valued member of the team. The tragic loss of Jack in 2019 was devastating and will always remain so. There have been times since when walking away from everything has felt like an option. But Amanda and John kept going, one day at a time, with the support of their team and the work itself, which continues to bring enjoyment to life.

While Brin and Anna now have independent careers, Anna continues to work actively in the business alongside her education role. Becoming central to its next chapter, she still leads the brand's design, packaging, and social media activities, bringing a fresh perspective while staying true to the values that remain the foundation of the company.

Built on Trust and Repeat Business

Today, t leaf T offers New Zealand's largest range of teas, with more than 160 varieties including black, green, white, oolong, herbal, and fruit teas. Eight out of every ten orders on the t leaf T website come from repeat customers. The company holds a 5-star Trustpilot rating, dispatches orders placed before 3pm the same day, and serves more than 500 wholesale customers across New Zealand. When something goes wrong, the team puts it right, quickly and without fuss.

The business has weathered the global financial crisis, a major shift in hospitality economics, and the lasting effects of COVID on hospitality trade. Online sales have grown in double digits for more than a decade. Through all of it, the approach has stayed the same: source quality teas, serve customers well, and never compromise on either.

t leaf T now owns our own warehouse in Petone. We recently renovated the retail store and continue to introduce exciting new blends. Anna is currently refreshing the packaging designs. As the business continues to evolve, the commitment to bringing remarkable teas to New Zealand remains the same.

If you have not found your tea yet, come explore, experience and enjoy the range at t leaf T.