EXPERIENCES, NOT STUFF

 Avenues had a quick five with James Fitzgerald. We talked about the emergence of Chuffed in the midst of Covid and gifting experiences, not stuff.

Tell us about the history behind Chuffed. My business, Rotorua Canopy Tours, was heavily impacted by Covid. When the borders shut, I teamed up with staff who had the skills to bring Chuffed to life. We were confident in the concept, as we had seen how much people sought gift vouchers from Canopy Tours. With a Chuffed gift, the recipient chooses the expeience they want to do, so it’s totally different to anything else out there. It is a real life solution to gift-buying problems we all have. We pieced the basics together in lockdown and started last year. We now have over 200 experience partners, collectively offering over 750 individual experiences.

So, Chuffed is about experiences, not stuff? Chuffed is on a mission to change the world of gift giving for good. We see a future where people don’t give stuff or material goods anymore. And instead, give inspiring experiences that help people grow, see the world differently, meet new people, and generally are just better for you than cheap wine or fancy chocolate. We think experience gifts simply make people happier.

How does Chuffed fit into the ‘support local’ movement? Chuffed Gifts include experience providers from all over New Zealand. So there are local options for everyone. Beyond that, tourism, more than any industry, has been massively impacted by almost two years of closed borders. The majority of tourism providers are small business owner-operators who are passionate about sharing their experience with the world, and we are super proud that our Chuffed Gifts support them.

You’re our principal sponsor for this year’s A List Awards. Tell us why you decided to jump on board? We thought there was great synergy; over time, we expect Chuffed to become recognised as the experience experts where people go to for gifts that you live. So partnering with the A List makes a lot of sense as it is aligned with outstanding Christchurch businesses.

What is next for Chuffed? The Chuffed Gift concept of choice for the recipient will be expanded to include accommodation, restaurants, classes, and more, come 2022.