Hand-Made & Small-Batch Hot Sauce Made In Hawke's Bay
About Noxious Nectar
We’re Noxious Nectar — a new, hand-made, small-batch hot sauce business born right here in Hawke’s Bay.
Founded by Carla Taylor and Michael Gray, our journey began with a simple accident in the kitchen. After Carla received some fiery Carolina Reapers to try, she whipped up a sauce by chance. That first batch sparked not just a recipe, but a passion — and soon a partnership built on a mutual love for food, flavour, and anything spicy.
But Noxious Nectar is about more than heat. Recent news that a close family member is beginning treatment again for blood cancer inspired us to give our business a deeper
purpose. From day one, we’ve committed to donating 5% of all proceeds to the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation NZ — supporting the incredible work they do for patients and families across Aotearoa.
For us, hot sauce isn’t just about bringing fire to your food — it’s about making a difference.
"Noxious Nectar - Hot Sauce With A Purpose"
Our Range
From first taste to final damnation, our sauces take you on a fiery descent into flavourful chaos.
Handcrafted in small batches with fresh Hawke’s Bay ingredients, each bottle is brewed to tempt, burn, and corrupt your tastebuds one drop at a time. No fillers. No mercy. Just pure, unholy flavour.
Our Mission
With a vision to cure and a mission to care, Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand are committed to improving the quality of life for patients and their families living with blood cancer conditions. We aim to provide support where and when it is needed most for the 8 Kiwis diagnosed with a blood cancer in New Zealand every day – that is one person every 3 hours!
Our free and personalised services range from just having someone to talk to in our Support Services team, to disease-specific information & resources. We provide a host of up-to-date information, practical advice & support for patients, their families & carers.
We are the only dedicated funder of haematology research in New Zealand, committed to finding better treatments & cures.
Meet The Founders
Noxious Nectar was founded by Carla Taylor and Michael Gray, two Hawke’s Bay locals with a shared passion for food, flavour, and family. What began as a chance kitchen experiment with Carolina Reapers quickly grew into a mission: to create bold, fiery
sauces with purpose.
Together, Carla and Michael are bringing handcrafted heat to Kiwi tables while giving back — donating a portion of proceeds from every bottle to the Leukaemia & Blood Cancer Foundation NZ, a cause deeply personal to a close family member.
“From Hawke’s Bay kitchens to your plate — bold flavour with a purpose that supports families fighting blood cancer.”
Carla Taylor
Co-Founder
Born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, Carla discovered her love for cooking at a young age, teaching herself with an Alison Holst cookbook. She has been home-cooking her whole life, with friends and family always lining up for her creations.
The first Noxious Nectar sauce came about by accident when her father sent her some of his home-grown Carolina Reapers. That fiery experiment sparked a business built on bold flavour, creativity, and purpose.
Family has always been central to Carla’s life, and it’s that same closeness that drives her to make a difference through Noxious Nectar. As the creator and cook of the sauces, she’s excited to share her fiery flavours with Kiwi tables while supporting a cause that means so much to her and Michael.
Mike Gray
Co-Founder
Born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, Michael has always had a passion for food —
especially the smoky, fiery world of BBQ. He’s mastered the art of low-and-slow cooking and knows his rubs and smokers inside out, bringing them together to create the perfect flavour match every time. His love for charcoal-based smoky flavours is something he’s excited to bring to the table as Noxious Nectar grows and expands with new sauces.
Family is at the heart of everything Michael does, and his close ties have shaped the values behind Noxious Nectar. With a close family member now beginning treatment for blood cancer, Michael is especially driven to ensure the business makes a real impact.
He’s thrilled to share bold flavours with Kiwi tables while supporting a cause that means so much to him and his loved ones.
Contact Us
Address:
13 Thorn Place, Napier, Hawke's Bay, 4110, New Zealand
Email:
customerservices@noxiousnectar.co.nz
Phone:
02885106732