frequently asked questions
Welcome to Our Happy Place.
We know buying online sometimes comes with questions - especially when you’re choosing something meaningful.
Below you’ll find answers to common questions about our products, how they’re made, shipping, gifting, and the story behind what we do.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know, just get in touch - we’re always happy to help.
TRUST + ABOUT US
1. Is Our Happy Place a real New Zealand business?
Yes - Our Happy Place is a genuine New Zealand-owned and operated business.
We design our products here in NZ, print and press every order locally, and work with New Zealand-owned suppliers wherever possible.
If you order from us, you’re supporting a real small NZ business - not a faceless overseas marketplace or mass-produced merchandise brand.
You’ll always be dealing with a real human who genuinely cares about what arrives in your mailbox.
2. Who is behind Our Happy Place?
Hi, I’m Salena Stinchcombe, the founder and owner of Our Happy Place.
This business started from my love of photography and the emotional connection we all have to places that mean something - favourite beaches, hometowns, holiday spots, and places full of memories.
Every design begins with a real photograph I’ve taken, then gets transformed into something you can wear, gift and connect with.
Our Happy Place was created to make clothing that feels personal - not generic.
Want to know more? Read my story here → About
3. Are these AI-generated?
No.
Every Our Happy Place design starts with a real photograph I’ve taken of a place that means something.
I personally transform those photographs into wearable designs - not AI-generated artwork, stock graphics, or generic mass-produced templates.
The occasional silly social media joke with Santa or someone unexpected in one of our tees? That’s just a bit of fun 😄
But the actual products you buy are built from real photography and real places.
4. How are Our Happy Place designs created?
Every design starts with a real photograph I’ve taken of a place I love.
I then transform that image into a wearable design, refining and testing it to make sure it looks great when printed.
Once you place an order, your item is professionally printed and pressed here in New Zealand, carefully checked, packed, and shipped to you.
It’s a thoughtful process - from real place to finished product.
5. Are your clothes made in New Zealand?
Our designs are created here in New Zealand, and every item is professionally printed and pressed here in NZ once you place your order.
We work with New Zealand-owned apparel suppliers, including Auckland-based businesses, to source our garments.
The blank garments themselves are ethically manufactured offshore (as is standard for many quality apparel brands), then finished here in New Zealand.
That means your purchase supports multiple New Zealand businesses while still ensuring quality and responsible sourcing.
6. Why do your products cost more than some other t-shirts online?
Not all t-shirts are created the same way.
Some lower-priced products - and even some similarly priced ones - are mass-produced and printed offshore in very large volumes before being shipped to New Zealand.
Our approach is different.
Our designs are created from original photography, then each order is printed and pressed here in New Zealand after you purchase.
We also work with New Zealand-owned suppliers and produce in much smaller quantities rather than mass manufacturing.
Producing locally in New Zealand means higher labour and operating costs than offshore bulk production - but it also means better quality control, support for local businesses, and a more thoughtful approach to what we make.
You’re not buying generic merchandise - you’re buying something created with meaning, made with care, and produced closer to home.
QUALITY + PRODUCTS
7. What quality are your garments?
Quality matters to us.
We use quality garments sourced through New Zealand-owned suppliers, chosen for comfort, durability, and how well they hold up after printing and washing.
We want you to actually love wearing your item - not have it end up as the shirt you wear to paint the fence.
8. How are your garments printed?
Your item is professionally printed and pressed here in New Zealand after you place your order.
We use high-quality DTF (Direct to Film) printing, which is particularly well suited to reproducing the fine detail, colour, and clarity in our photographic designs.
If you’ve heard that some printed garments can feel stiff or plasticky, that can depend a lot on the print style and design coverage. Because our designs are carefully created for wearable comfort rather than giant full-front prints, the finished result remains soft and easy to wear while still capturing the detail of the original artwork.
Because each item is made to order rather than mass produced, we only create what’s actually wanted - reducing waste and allowing every order to be checked before it’s shipped.
9. Will my order look like the website photos?
Yes - but remember some product images are digital mockups used to show how the design will look on different garments.
Your actual item will feature the same design you selected, professionally printed onto the garment you ordered.
As with any printed product, exact placement and scale may vary slightly depending on garment style and size.
10. Will the colours look exactly the same in real life?
We do our best to represent colours accurately, but screens can display colours differently depending on your phone, monitor, or device settings.
That means the final product may look slightly different from what you see on screen.
Every item is checked before shipping to make sure the print quality and colour look as close as possible to the intended design.
ORDERING, DELIVERY + RETURNS
11. What if I order the wrong size?
Because every item is printed just for you, we can’t offer exchanges for change-of-mind purchases or incorrect size selections.
Please check the size guide carefully before ordering.
If you're unsure, get in touch before purchasing - we’re happy to help you choose the right fit.
If your item arrives damaged or there’s a production issue, we’ll absolutely make it right.
12. What happens if my item arrives damaged?
If your item arrives damaged or there’s a fault with the print or garment, please contact us as soon as possible.
We’ll work with you to sort it quickly.
We want you to love what arrives.
See our full returns policy here → returns
13. How long will my order take?
Because our clothing is printed locally in New Zealand, most orders are dispatched within 5–7 working days.
You can check current production timeframes in the banner at the top of the website.
Once your order ships, you’ll receive tracking details.
Shipping is free for orders over $200.
We also try to keep packaging thoughtful - using compostable or recycled courier packaging where possible.
14. Can I pick up my order?
Because our orders are made to order through our production process, pickup isn’t something we generally offer.
We’re based out west in Bethells, and honestly, with the cost of petrol these days, courier delivery is usually the easier (and often cheaper!) option for most people.
If you’re local and have a special reason, feel free to get in touch and we’ll see what’s possible
15. Do you ship internationally?
Yes - we do.
Our Happy Place products are a popular way to send a little piece of home overseas, whether that’s to family, friends, or Kiwis living abroad.
They also make meaningful gifts for expats who miss their favourite beach, hometown, or childhood holiday spot.
Shipping options and costs are available at checkout.
GIFTING + FINDING YOUR HAPPY PLACE
16. What makes Our Happy Place different?
We’re not just selling clothing.
We’re creating wearable reminders of places that matter.
Every design starts with real photography and is built around connection, memory, nostalgia, and the places that feel like home.
That might be the beach your family has gone to for generations, the bach where everyone gathers each summer, your hometown, your favourite surf break, or the place your kids learned to swim.
For Kiwis living overseas, it might be a reminder of childhood holidays, salt in the air, fish and chips on the beach, or a place that still feels like home even from the other side of the world.
For others, it’s about creating connection - matching tees for a family trip, a meaningful gift, or something that quietly says this place matters to me.
That’s what makes Our Happy Place different.
17. What am I actually looking at?
Great question 😄
Our designs feature a real photograph from that location, woven into the lettering itself.
So if you’re looking at Raglan, Piha, Whitianga, or another favourite place, the image inside the design is an actual photograph taken there - not a stock image or random graphic.
The idea is to capture more than just the name of a place.
We want to capture the essence of it - the feeling, the landscape, the landmarks, the memories.
Some designs are instantly recognisable, while others lean more toward a graphic style - but they all begin with real photography.
It’s part photography, part design, and part storytelling.
18. Why buy this instead of a generic souvenir t-shirt?
Because Our Happy Place is about connection - not just tourism.
These designs are created for people who have a genuine connection to a place, whether that’s where you grew up, where your family holidays every summer, your favourite surf beach, or somewhere that still feels like home from overseas.
For locals, it might be pride in a place you love.
For Kiwis living abroad, it might be a reminder of childhood holidays, beach summers, or the place you still call home.
And for families, it might be a meaningful way to celebrate a shared happy place.
Our designs are built from real photography and original artwork created here in New Zealand - designed to mean something, not just mark a visit.
19. What if you don’t have my happy place yet?
We’re always adding new locations.
I’ve taken tens of thousands of photos around New Zealand, so there’s a good chance your special place may already be sitting somewhere in the archive waiting to become a design.
If your happy place isn’t on the website yet, get in touch — we’d genuinely love to hear your suggestion.
Some of our best ideas come from customers, whether it’s a family beach, hometown, favourite surf spot, or a place full of memories.
Your happy place might be next.
20. Do these make good gifts?
Absolutely.
Our Happy Place products make meaningful gifts for anyone with a connection to a special place - whether that’s a favourite beach, family bach, hometown, or somewhere full of memories.
They’re especially popular for birthdays, farewells, Christmas, and gifts for Kiwis living overseas.
If you’re unsure about clothing sizing, hats can be a great gift option too.
21. Are your products suitable for Kiwis living overseas?
Yes - absolutely.
Many of our designs are bought as meaningful reminders of home for Kiwis living overseas.
A favourite beach, childhood holiday spot, hometown, or place tied to family memories can mean even more when you’re far away.
They’re also a great way to show off a little piece of home - whether that’s introducing overseas friends to your favourite NZ spot or wearing something that sparks a conversation about where you’re from.
They also make incredibly thoughtful farewell gifts.
International shipping is available. Shipping from New Zealand can be expensive, but we do our best to keep costs as low as possible while ensuring your order arrives safely.
22. What if I’m buying a gift and unsure about sizing?
Totally understandable - especially if you haven’t seen someone in a while 😄
If sizing feels tricky, hats are a fantastic option and make easy, meaningful gifts without the stress of getting the fit exactly right.
If you’re choosing clothing and unsure, many people prefer to size up rather than risk going too small - but checking the size guide is always your safest bet.
If you’re stuck, feel free to get in touch.
WHOLESALE
23. I own a shop - do you offer wholesale?
Yes - we do.
If you think Our Happy Place would be a great fit for your store, we’d love to chat.
We offer wholesale opportunities for retailers looking for meaningful New Zealand-inspired products their customers will genuinely connect with.
We can also discuss location-specific collections for the right stores.
Get in touch and let’s chat.
Still have questions?
You’re dealing with a real small New Zealand business, so if there’s something you’d like to ask, just reach out.
We’re always happy to help.
