New Zealand’s first dedicated instant grocery delivery service launches in Queenstown this winter with the rest of the country soon to follow. 

An exciting new addition to Queenstown’s business sector, Teddy is a top-up grocery shop which is fast, simple and convenient. Operating from a local warehouse stocked with hundreds of items ranging from toilet paper, nappies, and fresh fruit to veggies meat and poultry, the company will deliver groceries in less than 30 minutes. 

The service offers flexible delivery options and goods are delivered by Team Teddy riders and drivers. 

Teddy founders Chaz Savage and brothers Daniel and Ricki Taiaroa came up with the idea fuelled by their existing business understanding, global trends and consumer insight. 

“Like most good things, Teddy solves real life issues,” says Chaz.

“People are time poor and desperately seeking convenience so when Ricki ran out of nappies for his baby Piper, or my wife wanted some eggs at short notice, we said someone will solve these niggly issues and that someone should be us. That’s how Teddy was born.” 

Ricki went to Sydney to learn from operators across the ditch, confirming just how far New Zealand is lagging in the grocery evolution curve. Investors agree, with Teddy’s initial angel round funding oversubscribed by corporate entities and individuals in financial or advisory roles. 

A mobile-first design, their app is the centrepiece of the Teddy consumer experience.

“We’ve invested substantially in delivering the best grocery shopping experience in Aotearoa, hands down,” says Ricki.

The Teddy team believes Queenstown is the perfect initial market to test, learn and excel.

“Queenstowners are already well versed in delivery tech, although underserved – our subsidiary company Food on Q already leads the market in terms of customer satisfaction and market share. We’ll get operationally hardened here before launching in Auckland pre-Christmas followed by Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington.”

“We’re working alongside and getting world-class advice from amazing partners and advisors like Start Up Queenstown, Mainland Angels, Blackbird VC and many others,” says Ricki. “The level of support we’ve received and the belief people have in what we are building has been humbling.”

The Teddy Team

Teddy is the brainchild of three Māori co-founders who have a solid track record working with leading tech, media and telco companies while also founding and operating their own both large and small businesses.

Collectively, Chaz Savage and Ricki and Daniel Taiaroa have worked in senior management and digital product development roles for companies like Sky NZ, Neon, Foxtel, Vodafone and Telstra for close to 20 years.

They have also owned and founded businesses such as designer footwear and bags retailer Scarpa, kids’ retailer Four Little Monkeys and a range of bars in Wānaka, Queenstown and Christchurch including Whakatipu Brewing, Bungalow, LaLaLand and Botanic.

The trio consider operating Food On Q, with an existing team of local drivers and a knowledge of the Queenstown district, gives them a head start with Teddy, their innovative instant grocery delivery service.