For Pete and Marleen Suy, affectionately known as Pete and Mrs. Pete, great ideas often start with frustration… and a little fizz.
After years running a bakery famous for its mouthwatering treats, Pete and Marleen realised they were ready for a change. The shelves were stacked with sugary, imported drinks that didn’t fit the kind of life they wanted to live. Surrounded by the lush fruit of Aotearoa and watching so much of it go to waste,
Pete asked the question that would spark a whole new venture: “Why import juice concentrates when we’ve got this goldmine of fruit right here?”
After plenty of testing (and a few spills), Pete’s Natural was born. Their FairTrade@Home philosophy ensures local growers get paid fairly, rescued fruit gets juiced instead of wasted, and Aotearoa’s produce stays in the spotlight where it belongs.
Here’s what the duo had to say about their journey, their community, and what NZ Made really means to them.
What was it like growing up in New Zealand?
We actually didn’t grow up in NZ. Both of us are originally from Belgium and made the move to NZ about 20 years ago. Nelson quickly became home for us, and we absolutely love the lifestyle here. It has such a wonderful balance, you’re never far from the beach, the mountains or beautiful walking tracks, and the climate is one of the sunniest in the country. We also love being part of a small, supportive community where people genuinely look out for each other. It’s a great place to raise a family and run a business, and we feel very lucky to call the Nelson Tasman region home.
What's the biggest lesson you've learnt from starting and running a business?
Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint. You need persistence, patience, and a lot of resilience. We’ve learnt the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people, building strong relationships, and staying true to our values.
When someone says 'NZ Made', what comes to your mind?
When we hear “NZ Made”, we think of sourcing as much as we can right here at home to create our beverages. To us, it also means products that are created with integrity, often by small businesses and passionate people who genuinely care about what they’re making. NZ Made reflects New Zealand’s deep connection to nature, as well as the values of quality, fairness, and sustainability – values we’re proud to stand behind
How do you cope with the change of season in NZ, specifically from spring to summer?
The change from spring to summer is one of our favourite times of the year. The longer, warmer days bring a real sense of energy and optimism. We love making the most of it by spending time outside, whether that’s at the beach, in the garden, or enjoying a BBQ with friends and family. It’s also a busy season for us with production, so we balance the hard work with those little moments in the sun.
Having four distinct seasons is something we really appreciate about living in New Zealand, and summer always feels like a reward after the cooler months.
Sip on Pete’s Natural’s famous Feijoa Lemonade. It’s refreshing, tangy, proudly local, and included in MyTreat's November 2025 'NZ Made' Wellness Box amongst other treats. Subscribe now for a gift to yourself (or others!).