From Our Roots, to Yours.

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a plant native to the Pacific Islands, cultivated and shared for thousands of years in ceremonial, social, and cultural contexts. The root is ground and mixed with cool water to make the drink at the centre of a gathering: the sevusevu, the tanoa circle, the shared bilo. Unlike alcohol, kava is drunk to slow an evening down rather than speed it up. Clarity stays intact, and there's no hangover in the morning. Kava is a supplement, not a medicine, and we make no therapeutic claims.

Most people describe a gentle change of pace, noticeable without taking you out. The active compounds in the root are called kavalactones. Effects typically begin within 10 to 20 minutes and last 2 to 4 hours. Everyone reacts differently, so start with a smaller shell and find your own baseline. Many first-timers notice very little in their first session or two. That's normal, and it's worth giving it a few tries.

Noble kava is the group of traditional varieties cultivated for safe, regular consumption. It produces clean, balanced effects and is considered the gold standard for drinking kava. Tudei (or "two-day") kava is a different variety that can cause prolonged side effects with regular use, including nausea, lethargy, and dermopathy. Every bag we sell is 100% noble.

Yes. Kava is legal to purchase, possess, and consume in New Zealand for personal use, and it isn't a controlled substance. It also has long-standing cultural significance in New Zealand's Pacific community and is widely consumed here.

Traditional preparation is simple. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of kava powder to a muslin or straining bag. Place the bag into a bowl with 1 to 2 cups of cool or lukewarm water, not hot: heat can degrade the kavalactones. Knead and squeeze the bag in the water for 5 to 10 minutes until the water turns a deep earthy brown. Remove the bag, squeeze out the remaining liquid, and serve in a shell or cup. Start with a smaller dose and adjust from there. Read our full guide to preparing kava.

All you need is a muslin straining bag (sometimes called a kava strainer or nut milk bag), a bowl, and water. A traditional tanoa, a carved wooden bowl, adds to the experience but is optional. Straining bags are inexpensive and available at most kitchenware or health food stores.

For beginners, start with 2 tablespoons (around 10 to 12g) per 1.5 cups of water. Regular drinkers often use 3 to 4 tablespoons per session. Kava can take time to work: many people report a "reverse tolerance" effect, where the first few sessions feel mild before the effects become more pronounced. Give it a few tries before adjusting your dose.

Kava is traditionally consumed on its own. Avoid mixing it with alcohol: both affect the central nervous system, and combining them can intensify sedative effects. Some people add a small amount of coconut cream or lecithin to help extract the kavalactones more efficiently. It's a legitimate technique and can improve potency.

We ship to all addresses within New Zealand. We don't currently ship internationally.

Most orders are dispatched within 1 to 3 business days. Once you receive your tracking number, delivery typically takes 2 to 3 business days for most addresses, and 2 to 4 business days for rural addresses.

Orders of $80 or more ship free to addresses in the Auckland urban area and greater Christchurch. At checkout this shows as Local delivery when your postcode qualifies. We still send it by courier, like every order. Everywhere else in New Zealand, standard shipping is $11.50 ($15 for rural addresses) on orders under $160, and free from $160 after any discount codes. Prefer to collect? Pickup is free from Silverdale (Auckland) and Riccarton (Christchurch).

Auckland: from Long Bay and Albany down to Papakura, Takanini and Drury, west to Swanson, Massey and Hobsonville, and east to Howick and Flat Bush. Christchurch: every suburb, plus Lyttelton, Governors Bay, Diamond Harbour, Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton, West Melton, Darfield, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Pegasus and Rangiora. It doesn't cover the Gulf islands, Pukekohe, Waiuku, Kumeū, Huapai, Riverhead, Helensville, Warkworth, Beachlands, Maraetai or Leeston, or Rural Delivery (RD) addresses outside these areas. Those addresses pay standard or rural rates. On the Hibiscus Coast? You can pick up free from our Silverdale branch. Checkout checks your postcode, so if Local delivery doesn't appear, your address is outside the area. It also doesn't appear in Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal express checkout, so use the regular checkout.

Yes, and it's free. Choose Pickup at checkout and we'll message you when it's ready, usually within 24 hours. Our Auckland branch is in Silverdale (10am to 9pm daily) and our Christchurch branch is in Riccarton (9am to 9pm daily). Neither is a walk-in shop, so message or call ahead to arrange a time.

Yes. All orders ship in plain, sealed packaging with no product branding on the outside. The sender name on the label will be The Kava Shop.

We stand behind every bag of kava we ship. Our kava is sourced directly from Kadavu, Fiji, and is 100% noble. If your order arrives damaged, incorrect, or not as described, contact us within 14 days of receiving it and we'll make it right.

Kava isn't a food product. It's a plant root that can be used as a supplement. For hygiene reasons we can't take back opened kava, but unopened packs can be returned within 14 days. If you're new to kava, we recommend starting with the 100g Starter Pack before committing to a larger size. If there's a quality issue with your order, reach out and we'll find a fair resolution.

We're sorry to hear that. Email us at team@thekavashop.online with your order number and a photo of the damage within 14 days of receiving your parcel, and we'll arrange a replacement or refund promptly.