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Duck Island: Hand crafting ice cream from Waikato, New Zealand

  • Writer: Aya
    Aya
  • Feb 10
  • 3 min read

In February, while New Zealand should be nearing the end of summer, Hamilton on the North Island has been experiencing daytime temperatures exceeding 27℃.


New Zealand summers aren’t as muggy as in my home country of Japan, but the sunlight is incredibly intense. Just a few minutes outside—or even sitting in a car with the sun streaming through the window—can leave you sunburned in no time.


Since ice cream is one of the must-haves for a New Zealand summer, I decided to check out Duck Island Ice Cream!



New Zealand's favorite Ice Cream: Duck Island 🍨

The interior of "Duck Island," an ice cream shop in Hamilton, New Zealand. The shop features a warm color palette with pink and beige tiles, complemented by soft lighting. A glass display case showcases a variety of ice cream flavors, while a handwritten chalkboard menu lists available options. The wall is adorned with artwork, and shelves hold branded merchandise and potted plants, adding a cozy touch. The bottom right corner displays the "LITTLE FUJI DESIGN STUDIO" logo, indicating a design shoot.

In New Zealand, ice cream is widely loved by locals (Kiwis), and among the many brands available, Duck Island stands out as a handmade ice cream brand born in the Waikato region.


According to their website, Duck Island was established in 2015 by a chef and a group of ice cream enthusiasts in Waikato.



You can find Duck Island ice cream cups in supermarkets such as Woolworths and New World.


The packaging design is simple yet charming, featuring cute colors that appeal to both children and adults.


There are even options that are gluten-free and suitable for those with dairy or egg allergies, making it a treat that vegans can enjoy as well.




ハミルトンのDuck Islandで楽しむ、ニュージーランドのアイスクリーム


I've been living in New Zealand for nearly four years, but this was actually my first time visiting a Duck Island store.


We went on a weekday just after noon, and the place was so busy that a line stretched out from the entrance!


Most of the crowd consisted of locals—young teenagers, couples, families with kids, and even seniors—all enjoying their ice cream.


Not only is there an abundant variety of flavors available, but many of them are unique to New Zealand and rarely seen in Japan, making it incredibly hard to choose just one!


A display case at "Duck Island" Ice Cream Shop in Hamilton, New Zealand. The case is filled with a variety of ice cream flavors, neatly arranged in white tubs. Handwritten labels on the glass indicate flavors such as "Vanilla Bean (G.F)," "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough," and "Fairy Bread." In the background, staff members are seen assisting customers. The bottom left corner features a credit to "LITTLE FUJI DESIGN STUD

After much deliberation, we chose the cone ice cream in the flavors of Fresh Strawberry & Condensed Milk and White Chocolate & Pomegranate!


A hand holding a waffle cone with two scoops of ice cream over a wooden table. The bottom scoop is a light pink flavor, while the top scoop is vanilla-based with a swirl of red sauce. The blurred background suggests a café-like setting, with a chalkboard and hanging decorations visible on the wall. The bottom right corner features a credit to "LITTLE FUJI DESIGN STUDIO" along with the text "Duck Island Ice Cream Shop, Hamilton, New Zealand," indicating that the photo was taken at the Duck Island ice cream shop in Hamilton, New Zealand.


The Fresh Strawberry and Condensed Milk flavor delivered a robust strawberry taste and a pronounced floral aroma, balanced with just the right amount of sweetness—absolutely delicious!🍓


However, if we had to choose a favorite, it would be the Pomegranate and White Chocolate flavor. I hadn't really tried pomegranate before, but the combination of sweet white chocolate with slightly tart, large, textured pomegranate seeds was incredibly tasty!

There were also other unique ice cream offerings, such as Raspberry Lychee Sorbet and Roast White Chocolate with White Miso(!?), making it no surprise that you'll want to keep coming back to try them all.


I also ordered an iced coffee, which came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making it pleasantly sweet.


A plastic cup of iced latte placed on a wooden table. The transparent cup showcases a beautiful gradient with milk at the bottom and espresso layered on top. A simple ribbon-like logo is printed on the cup, and it is covered with a dome lid with a black straw inserted. In the background, the café interior is visible, featuring a chalkboard and a small hanging basket on the wall. The bottom left corner includes a credit to "LITTLE FUJI DESIGN STUDIO," while the bottom right text reads "Duck Island Ice Cream Shop, Hamilton, New Zealand," indicating that the photo was taken at Duck Island in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Not only can you choose your ice cream in a cup or a cone, but there's also a wide variety of options available—including sundaes, cocoa floats, ice cream sandwiches, and toppings.


The selection may vary by store and season, so I recommend checking out the menu on Duck Island's website!


Stacks of branded paper ice cream cups and a Strawberry Sundae menu sign on the counter at "Duck Island" Ice Cream Shop. The cups are decorated with the words "ICE CREAM" in red, orange, and purple variations. To the right, a wooden stand holds a promotional sign for the Strawberry Sundae, priced at $15. The sundae features strawberry condensed milk, vanilla bean ice cream, strawberry sauce, cheesecake crumbs, whipped cream, and a wafer. A chalkboard menu is blurred in the background, adding to the café's warm ambiance. The bottom left corner features a credit to "LITTLE FUJI DESIGN STUDIO," while the bottom right text reads "Duck Island Ice Cream Shop, Hamilton, New Zealand."






アイスクリーム好きにおすすめ!?Duck Islandのオリジナルグッズがかわいい


At Duck Island’s shop, in addition to their ice cream, you can also find a range of original Duck Island merchandise.


Several of these items are available through the online store on their website.



From a designer’s perspective, the merchandise is delightfully pop and cute—I almost wanted to buy all of the tote bags and mugs! If you're visiting New Zealand as a tourist, these items might also make excellent souvenirs💛




Where Are the Duck Island Ice Cream Shops in New Zealand?


Duck Island currently has shops at the following locations as of 2025:

Hamilton

  • Gray Street

Auckland

  • Takapuna

  • Britomart

  • Ponsonby

  • New Market

Wellington

  • Cuba Street

  • Wills Lane

Since they’re only on the North Island, I hope they expand to the South Island—perhaps to Christchurch—in the near future!


Next time I visit Auckland, I plan to check out the other Duck Island locations to see how each store differs.


Do you have a favorite flavor or a recommended ice cream? Please share your thoughts in the comments! ('ω')🍨



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