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Novelli branded merchandise agency - founded in Auckland New Zealand in 1931

ABOUT NOVELLI - BESPOKE CUSTOM BRANDED MERCHANDISE SINCE 1931

WE ARE A GLOBAL COMPANY WITH A RICH HISTORY

Novelli is a family-owned business with almost 100 years of experience developing quality merchandise.​

The company was born in New Zealand, a breath-taking country where isolation breeds innovation and demands integrity. While Novelli is still based out of New Zealand, we have offices worldwide with team members ready to assist clients anywhere.

New Zealand - birthplace of Novelli branded merchandise agency

Novelli [no-vel-li]

1.   From the Latin 'novus'; [adjective] meaning young, fresh or new 
2.  Novelli [noun] A fifth-generation family business established in New Zealand in 1931

 

NOVELLI'S PROUD HISTORY - ALMOST 100 YEARS OF BRANDED MERCHANDISE

Novelli is a fifth-generation family-owned branded merchandise agency with roots stretching back to 1931, when the Pinker family began manufacturing garments in Auckland, New Zealand. What started as a raincoat and outdoor apparel business grew to employ over 250 staff by 1950, before evolving through decades of innovation into one of Australasia's most respected promotional merchandise and branded product agencies. By 1990, Novelli had become the largest supplier to the New Zealand apparel market, and by 2015 the largest stockist of blank apparel in New Zealand. 

In 2015, Novelli launched NovaBrix , its own custom branded building brick range, adding bespoke collectible merchandise to its offering.

In 2026, Novelli expanded its bespoke product offering with the launch of laser-cut wooden craft kits - a new category that combines precision engineering with hands-on creativity. Designed and manufactured by Novelli from concept to finished product, the first range has already launched exclusively through a major US retailer, adding to Novelli's growing portfolio of retail-ready branded merchandise and consumer products.

Today, Novelli operates globally with offices and team members in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom - serving major retailers, corporates, and brands across five continents. Now in its fifth generation, Novelli remains family-owned, New Zealand headquartered, and as driven by innovation as the day it was founded.

  • Harris Langton Ltd building 1931

    1931 - COMPANY BEGINNINGS

    The Pinker family started manufacturing New Zealand made garments, predominantly wet weather clothing and outdoor apparel, at their premises in Queen Street, Auckland. (Pictured: 1931 Harris Langton Ltds beginnings).
  • Model in Rainster raincoat 1951

    1940s - WARTIME EFFORTS

    The business becomes New Zealand’s leading raincoat manufacturer securing an agreement to supply the military during the Second World War. (Pictured: Model in Rainster raincoat 1951).
  • Aerial view of Auckland CBD, Harris Langton was in the building centre right 1944

    1950s - GROWTH

    By 1950, the family business had grown to employ over 250 staff. This resulted in a move to a new, larger premises in Auckland as well as diversification into the bulk fabric and lingerie markets. (Pictured: Aerial view of Auckland CBD, Harris Langton was in the building centre right, 1944).
  • Harris Langton Ltd 428 Queen Street Auckland

    1960's -

    During the 60’s, the company sold its outdoor apparel arm of the business and expanded their bulk fabrics and lingerie arms. Manufacturing plants were set up by the company in Takapuna, Milford and Tauranga. (Pictured: Harris Langton, 428 Queen Street).
  • Harris Langton building Newmarket 1971

    1970s -

    The business moved again to a more suited premises on Broadway in Newmarket.  During this time, the company began importing specialised fabrics such as lace and silk to manufacture women's night gowns. (Pictured: Harris Langton building Newmarket 1971).
  • Novelli's 87 Wellesley Street West Auckland building

    1980s - BULK FABRICS

    The lingerie arm of the business was sold (and still forms part of Bendon/Berlei today).  The bulk fabrics business developed and so did a blank t-shirt range.  The company moved to Wellesley St West.  In the 1980s, the business went on to become a leading importer of apparel. (Pictured: 87 Wellesley Street West, Auckland building)
  • Novelli's 1994 Airport Oaks building

    1990 -

    By 1990, the company was the largest supplier to the New Zealand apparel market.  This is in addition to becoming specialists in merchandise sourcing. (Pictured: 1994 Airport Oaks building).

  • 2000s -

    Expansion saw the company become a significant player in the promotional apparel and merchandise markets throughout Australasia.
  • Australia wooden sign with a beach on background

    2005 - AUSTRALIA

    Novelli was registered in Australia.
  • Novelli's Albany office c2010

    2010 -

    Expansion saw a move to a large new building in Albany.  Novelli diversified into importing customer promotional apparel and merchandise to the corporate sector.

  • 2011 -

    The business purchased two New Zealand apparel companies - Glenbrook Apparel and Cloud Clothing - to increase market share in wholesale garments.

  • 2015 -

    Novelli is the largest stockist of blank apparel in New Zealand and a leading importer of promotional products to large corporates in both New Zealand and Australia.
  • NovaBrix logo

    2015 - NOVABRIX

    Novelli designs and produces a new building block brand - NovaBrix.  The first set produced was for the successful ASB Little Ambulance campaign.
  • Vertical section of windblown American flag with undulating stripes and diagonal ripples like schisms among stars

    2019 - UNITED STATES

    Novelli opened it's first office in USA.

  • 2022 - EUROPE

    Novelli registers an office in Netherlands - Novelli's first in Europe.  

  • 2024 - UNITED KINGDOM

    Novelli registers an office in London - it's first office in the United Kingdom.
  • Novelli laser-cut customized branded wooden craft kitsets

    2026 - WOODEN CRAFT KITS

    Novelli designs and manufactures its first range of laser-cut wooden craft kits, launching exclusively through a major US retailer. The new product category marks Novelli's expansion into precision-engineered consumer craft products.
  • Novelli Auckland office in the B:Hive office building

    TODAY -

    In its 5th generation and still going strong…Novelli is revolutionising the promotional marketing strategy! (Pictured: Auckland New Zealand office building).
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TOUCH
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
To be the world’s most loved creative merchandise agency.
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TOUCH
OUR WHY
OUR WHY

We believe in unleashing energy through positive connections. ​

Our niche is that we connect significant brands to their customers.

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TOUCH
OUR CORE VALUES
OUR CORE VALUES
  • Grit​
  • Growth Mindset​
  • Courage​
  • Inventive​
  • Contagious Energy

THE NOVELLI TEAM

The team at Novelli are industry leaders and specialists with broad talents, extensive experience, and above all else, a passion for doing great work. We’re naturally curious change-makers who thrive on collaboration.  
We love what we do!

JOIN THE NOVELLI BRANDED MERCHANDISE TEAM

We’re an innovative group who push ourselves to ‘think beyond the norm’ – and frequently reinvent that norm!

We provide a fantastic team atmosphere that fosters continuous learning, new adventures, and where contributions are both encouraged and acknowledged.

Do you believe you have what it takes to join the Novelli team? Share your story with us, and if we have any fitting positions, we will reach out to you.

CONTACT US

OUR VALUES - TRUST, INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY

For over 90 years, Novelli has prided itself on developing relationships that are built on trust and integrity. 

We always aim to be transparent , morally ethical and to treat our clients, suppliers and team members with respect.

Novelli branded merchandise agency - built on trust and integrity for over 90 years

ABOUT NOVELLI - COMMON QUESTIONS

How long has Novelli been in business? Novelli has been operating for almost 100 years. The business was founded in Auckland, New Zealand in 1931 by the Pinker family, initially as a garment manufacturer. Over the following decades, it evolved through raincoat manufacturing, bulk fabrics, promotional apparel, and branded merchandise, arriving at its current position as a global bespoke branded merchandise agency. Today Novelli is in its fifth generation of family ownership.
Is Novelli a family-owned business? Yes. Novelli has been family-owned since it was founded in 1931 and remains so today, now in its fifth generation. That continuity of ownership shapes how we operate - we build long-term relationships with clients and suppliers based on trust, integrity, and a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional work.
Where is Novelli based and which countries do you operate in? Novelli is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, where the business was founded. We have offices and team members in Australia, the United States, the Philippines, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, allowing us to support branded merchandise campaigns wherever our clients operate. We deliver programmes across five continents.
What is NovaBrix and how does it relate to Novelli? NovaBrix is Novelli's own brand of custom branded building brick sets, launched in 2015. The first NovaBrix set was produced for the ASB Little Ambulance campaign. NovaBrix sets are designed and produced entirely in-house by the Novelli team, and are now sold through major retail partners including Ace Hardware and O'Reilly Auto Parts in the United States. You can find out more at novabrix.com.
What does Novelli mean? The name Novelli comes from the Latin word "novus", meaning young, fresh or new. It reflects the company's commitment to bringing fresh thinking and innovation to every branded merchandise project - a philosophy that has guided the business through almost a century of evolution and growth.