NZ Industry Icon Celebrates 30 Years with Business Expansion

[JohnS]

If you are able to have a 30 year trek in either the Australian or New Zealand cigar industry...well, that is quite something. (Incidentally, our host has served our local cigar community for around that amount of time too!)

NZ Industry Icon Celebrates 30 Years with Business Expansion

 July 2, 2025 - Samuel Spurr 

Celebrating 30 years at the forefront of New Zealand’s cigar industry, Grant “The Cigar Merchant” Ovenden is proud to announce a pivotal evolution in his business operations. To mark this milestone, his tobacco-related business will now operate as two distinct entities, enhancing focus and delivering even greater value to both consumers and trade partners.

Canteros New Zealand will remain the country’s trusted retail tobacconist, dedicated to offering discerning customers a world-class range of premium (non-Cuban) cigars, pipe tobaccos, and accessories.

In parallel, Ovenden is launching Long White Cloud Distributors, a specialized import, distribution, and wholesale company catering to tobacconists, specialty retailers, and the hospitality sector across New Zealand. 

Long White Cloud Distribution represents a curated portfolio of world-renowned brands, including: Kafie 1901 Cigars, Micallef Cigars, J.C. Newman Cigar Co., Arturo Fuente & Meerapfel, Rocky Patel, Perdomo, Casa Carrillo, Fratello, Drew Estate, Joya de Nicaragua, Padron, Plasencia, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Oliva, AJ Fernandez, HVC, and Ashton. The company also distributes leading pipe tobaccos such as Lane, Peterson, Amphora, Cornell & Diehl, and G.L. Pease, as well as smoking pipes from Brigham, Peterson & Savinelli.

“This new chapter allows each business to operate with clarity and precision,” says Grant Ovenden. “Retail customers will continue to enjoy the expertise and personal service Canteros is known for, while our trade partners will benefit from dedicated wholesale support, faster service, and access to one of the most comprehensive selections of premium cigars and tobacco products in New Zealand.”

As part of the expansion, Long White Cloud Distribution has secured warehousing facilities in the United States of America to leverage buying power and distribution to New Zealand; with expansion planned into Australia shortly.

With this strategic move, Canteros and Long White Cloud Distribution reaffirm their commitment to quality, integrity, and the vibrant community of cigar and pipe enthusiasts throughout New Zealand.

Trade & Distribution: www.lwc-distributors.nz

Retail: www.canteros.co.nz

Source: https://www.cigarjournal.com/nz-industry-icon-celebrates-30-years-with-business-expansion/

[Dlowil]

This is interesting. Brings back memories to the two years my wife and I lived on the north shore of Auckland. Sadly I wasn’t into cigars then. Wine was a different story . What is the retail environment/demand for Cuban cigars there like?

[JohnS]

I imagine that it's similar to the Australian situation. The New Zealand Government haven't made it easy to consume cigars in that country in the past twenty years or so, using taxation and restrictive legislation to negatively influence the market.

[Dlowil]

That’s a bummer. Sounds like I didn’t miss much. I was there back in 2014-16 on a working holiday visa.