Augustines of Central

A multi-year medal winner and our 2021 Emerging Business Champion, Augustines of Central isn't just creating outstanding preserves—they're setting a new standard for sustainable enterprise. Built on family values and respect for the land, this Portobello-based business is a true Sustainability Hero.

Augustines environmental commitment is on show from the moment you park and walk through the organic garden on the 50-acre native bush property to the purpose-built Portobello Farmstore & Kitchen, which opened in November 2024. From the food forest farm to the finished jar, Augustines prioritises minimising their environmental footprint.

The heart of Augustines is its 'family first' structure, which extends into its powerful community engagement. Led by Gus (aka Augustine) and Jana, the business thrives on collaboration, with Gus’s parents offering fresh ideas and Gus’ sister and her partner handling graphic design and marketing. This structure ensures passion, consistency, and innovation.

The family-owned site preserves vital native bushland, is a bountiful garden and is the source of much produce for the Kitchen Cafe. By preserving native bushland and collaborating with the local biodiversity group, Augustines actively contribute to Otago Peninsula biodiversity and essential environmental restoration efforts. The Farmstore & Kitchen manages water responsibly, collecting rainwater and operating a septic tank system..

Augustine’s kitchen allows the team to process available fruit each season without waste. This adaptive approach ensures they sustainably work with the fruit they can source despite seasonal variations.

Focus on reusability and recyclability is paramount. They use glass jars and have implemented a reuse system in their Farmstore, aligning their packaging with best-practice eco-friendly principles. They also minimise outbound waste by reusing materials like cardboard boxes for packaging.

Augustines is a proud and active member of the Portobello community, they actively supports local causes by participating in fundraisers and providing free products. A prime example is their sponsorship of the local kindergarten, organizing unique fundraisers where the school sells the preserves and retains all retail profits. By opening the Farmstore & Kitchen, they’ve created a vibrant hub that not only showcases their preserves but also provides a platform for other local businesses to feature their products, directly supporting economic growth in the Portobello community.

Augustines of Central proves that business can achieve award-winning excellence while upholding profound environmental and community responsibilities. They are truly preserving a better future, one jar at a time.