Chanui - Indian For Tea, Kiwi For Great Tea

Chai News

November 2009

Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown supermarkets came to Chanui and said we love your tea, but can you introduce something at the value end of the market. Everyone else was doing 100 teabags so we introduced a 100 teabag pack, and then made it an every special prices on only $3.49, delivering exceptional value. The tea is good quality as well because not only is Chanui's name on the pack, but also Foodtown, Woolworths, and Countdown.

February 2009
Chanui introduces teabags. We said we would never do it....but we have too many requests from customers so we have relented. We have not compromised on quality however - so now we not only have the best quality tea, we also have the best quality teabags.

February 2009
Chai changes its name to Chanui. Due to trademark issues with the word Chai in the United States, Chai has changed its name and given it a kiwi touch - Cha is the Chinese word for tea, and nui is the Maori word for big...Chanui...big tea!

June 2008
Chai is introduced into all Countdown supermarkets in New Zealand as sales continue to show strong growth.

April 2007
Chai signs agreement with Old Black distributors to distribute tea throughout New York and New England in the North East of the United States

July 2006
Chai launches in USA starting in New Haven Conecticut - home of Yale.

June 2006
Due to continued growth Chai began TV advertising in New Zealand. However due to its popularity Chai withdrew the ads after 2 weeks as it could not keepup with demand

December 2005
Chai loose leaf tea launches their new set of canisters. Not only do these canisters look good thay are idea for storing tea, and make a perfect gift, either to friends and family, or yourself.

October 2005
Chai loose leaf tea is now served in the Air New Zealand Koru lounges - now business people can relax and take a break in the lounge and enjoy a decent cuppa.

September 2005
Chai loose leaf tea is launched in South Africa with the first shipment due in Cape Town in November - now South Africans can also drink New Zealand's best tea.

1 July 2005
Chai Online Shop launched so now you can buy your favourite tea and have them delivered right to your front door.

July 2005
Chai loose leaf tea founder Doug Hastie appears on Good Morning Show discussing the Chai range of teas and their health benefits.

March 2005
Pinto Express starts distributing Chai loose leaf tea to cafes around Auckland so tea drinkers can now also enjoy their cafe experience and not be fobbed off with low-grade teabags. Café owners notice an instant increase in tea drinking customers.

February 2005
Chai loose leaf tea launched nationwide in all Foodtown and Woolworths stores in New Zealand - now people as far south at Invercargill or as far north as Kerikeri can drink top quality tea.

September 2004
Hiltons White restaurant and Bellini bar start using Chai loose leaf tea to satisfy their customers demand for premium quality tea. Chai Pounamu organic green launched with the barmen amazed that customers were returning for 2 or 3 pots - they had never seen anything like it.

August 2004
Chai loose leaf tea trialed in inner city Auckland Foodtown and Woolworths and achieved outstanding success.

April 2004
Chai loose leaf tea launched in South Island as mainlanders complained that they could not get a good cuppa with winter approaching.

March 2004
Japanese buying agent spots Chai loose leaf tea tea on the shelves of Victoria Park Market and contacts Chai to send shipment's of tea to Japan. Clichés of selling coals to Newcastle abounded as consumers in the Kansai region started consuming New Zealand’s best tea.

June 2003
Chai loose leaf tea launched to the lower North Island at the Wellington Food Show.

March 2003
Chai loose leaf tea launched at Victoria Park New World in Auckland. Aucklanders at last had a top quality tea – the fastest growing hot beverage in the states and people became more aware of its health benefits.

January 23 2003
Chai loose leaf tea first hits New Zealand at Taumarunui New World with the Tropical Sunrise being the first packet sold!

May 2002
Doug Hastie sets out on his odyssey to visit the best tea plantations in Asia travelling to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka. In Tokyo Doug meets Kuniko Saito who later becomes his wife.

April 28 3:45pm 2002
Doug Hastie gets fed up drinking low grade tea bags, spits out his tea and says I’m not drinking that %$&*@@ and vows to find the best quality tea for Kiwis.