A Sad Farewell to a Kiwi Favourite

After trying to place an order with Parisettes Gourmet Dressings and coming up against a few roadblocks, I decided to give them a ring to find out what was happening. What I learned really saddened me.

After more than twenty years in business, Parisettes has closed its doors for good.

When I spoke to the owner, I told him I’d really miss their dressings. He chuckled and said:

“I’m under a bit of pressure at home too ...”

meaning his family was probably going to nag him to make a few more just for them!

The full range of Parisettes dressings, made in Kurow for more than 20 years

For two decades, Parisettes, based in the small town of Kurow, quietly made some of the best dressings around: no flash marketing, no big campaigns, just good, honest gourmet dressings made with care. Every variety in their range showed the pride and attention of people who genuinely believed in what they were making.

Photo credit: Kurow, Bledisloe Street (2011) by Mattinbgn, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0.

Their dressings might have come from a small town, but they had a loyal following all over the country. Once people discovered them, they stayed loyal. A godsend for gluten-free and dairy-free diets alike, they became a trusted favourite in many New Zealand households.

The squeeze too hard to survive

Like so many small New Zealand producers, Parisettes faced constant pressure from the supermarket system. Costs kept going up while they were continually asked to lower prices. Supermarkets pushed them to the edge, taking more while giving less in return.

In the end, they were making their products for next to nothing. After trying hard to make it work, they had no choice but to stop trading.

This is the reality for many small Kiwi businesses. The supermarket duopoly holds huge power, and small producers are often the ones who take the hit. It’s not about passion or hard work - they had plenty of both. It’s about a system that makes it incredibly hard for small food makers to survive.

What we lose

When a business like Parisettes disappears, it’s not just another brand gone. It’s people. It’s a small community like Kurow losing a piece of itself. It’s the end of a business that did things the right way for a long time.

Why local support matters

This is a reminder of why shopping local actually matters, not merely as a slogan, but as a habit. Buying from small producers keeps them going. It helps them pay staff, buy ingredients, and keep doing what they do best. Every order counts. Every jar, box, or bottle bought from a local maker helps keep our small food businesses alive.

Thank you

To the family team behind Parisettes, thank you for what you created and for giving it everything for more than 20 years. You’ve earned a well-deserved rest after decades of hard work and care, and I hope you get the chance to enjoy life now at a gentler pace.

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Joanne Webb runs Eatlocal.nz, delivering premium, locally sourced fruit, veges, and artisan foods across the South Island. Passionate about supporting New Zealand growers, she personally packs every order to ensure quality and freshness. When she's not working on Eatlocal, you’ll find her walking her mini Schnauzer, Zac - or contemplating marathon training again!