- NZ makers with beeswax
- 2 of 8 Of the makers we checked
- Cheapest beeswax taper
- $1.50 National Candles, florist taper
- Beeswax pillars
- $11–$37.50 50mm to 95mm, National Candles
- Beeswax melt point
- 62°C Supplier spec, vs 45–52°C soy
Who makes beeswax candles in New Zealand?
Two of the eight New Zealand makers on our NZ-made list publish a beeswax range: Living Light Candles, whose site says they are handmade in Golden Bay and who sell both soy and beeswax, and National Candles, a Wellington maker in Te Aro with separate soy and beeswax ranges. The other six makers we checked pour soy. Beeswax is a small corner of the New Zealand candle market, which is part of why it's harder to find in a gift shop.
What do beeswax candles cost in NZ?
| Candle | Price on their page |
|---|---|
| Majella Beeswax Florist Taper Candle | From $1.50 |
| Beeswax Household 240mm Taper Candle | From $4.20 |
| Beeswax Venetian Taper Candle | $4.20 |
| Majella Beeswax Household 330mm Taper Candle | $7.00 |
| Beeswax 50mm ⌀ Pillar Candle | From $11.00 |
| Beeswax Bullet Candle | From $14.00 |
| Beeswax Tealight Candles | From $16.00 |
| Beeswax 65mm ⌀ Pillar Candle | From $18.00 |
| Beeswax Orb Candle | From $22.00 |
| Beeswax 75mm ⌀ Pillar Candle | From $23.00 |
| Beeswax 95mm ⌀ Pillar Candle | From $37.50 |
| Beeswax gift packs (four on the page) | $95.90 to $129.90 |
Read on National Candles' beeswax collection on 9 October 2026. "From" prices vary by option. Their page does not say whether the wax is 100% beeswax or where it is sourced, so neither do we. Free shipping on their site is over $120.
Living Light also sells beeswax candles, but we haven't read prices on their beeswax pages, so they aren't in the table. Their site offers free shipping on New Zealand orders over $100.
Why are beeswax candles mostly tapers and pillars?
Because of the wax. Beeswax melts at around 62°C on a US wax supplier's published specification, against 45–52°C for container soy, and the same supplier calls it "a challenging wax to work with because of its high melt point and hardness, which makes wicking difficult". A hard, high-melting wax stands up on its own, which suits a taper or a pillar; soft soy needs a jar. That's also why most scented candles in New Zealand are soy in glass and most beeswax candles are plain.
Why does beeswax cost more than soy?
Supply and handling. The National Candle Association notes beeswax is used "in significantly smaller quantities" than paraffin worldwide, and it's harder to pour. Compare like with like, though: a $4.20 beeswax taper is not dear next to a $27 scented soy jar — they're different candles for different jobs. For a fair comparison, work out the cost per burn hour where the maker publishes one.
Do beeswax candles smell?
Faintly of honey, if anything — most beeswax candles are sold unscented, and that's the point of them for a lot of buyers. If someone in the house doesn't get on with fragrance, a plain beeswax taper or pillar is the version of a candle that still works. Are scented candles toxic? goes through what is and isn't actually known about fragrance.
What's the white film on my beeswax candle?
That's usually bloom: a pale, powdery coating that forms on pure beeswax over time, especially somewhere cool. It's a surface effect, not mould. Rub it off with a soft dry cloth, or leave it — it burns away. Keep beeswax out of direct sun and away from heat so pillars don't slump.
Getting a clean burn from a beeswax candle
- Trim the wick
Short and straight before each light. A long wick on a hard wax flickers and drips.
- Use a holder that fits
Tapers need a snug holder that stands straight, away from draughts. A leaning taper drips down one side.
- Let a pillar melt wide
Burn long enough for the melt pool to spread close to the edge, or it will tunnel. Why candles tunnel.
- Never leave it alone
Same rule as any candle. Candle care and safety covers the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy beeswax candles in NZ?
Direct from New Zealand makers' own shops. Of those we checked, National Candles in Wellington and Living Light in Golden Bay both sell beeswax ranges online.
Are beeswax candles better than soy?
Different, not better on any evidence we could verify. Beeswax melts hotter and suits tapers and pillars; soy suits scented jars. Claims that one burns "cleaner" are not something we could source — see soy vs coconut vs beeswax.
Are cheap beeswax candles real beeswax?
Ask the maker. Neither of the NZ ranges we read states a percentage on the collection page. A maker who pours pure beeswax will usually say so if you ask.
Do you sell beeswax candles?
Not yet. Our shop opens once wholesale accounts are signed with makers. When it does, every candle will name its wax exactly as the maker states it. Join the waitlist.
Sources
- National Candles — beeswax candles collection — last checked 9 October 2026
- National Candles — home page — last checked 15 September 2026
- Living Light Candles — home page — last checked 15 September 2026
- CandleScience — candle wax guide (a US wax supplier's own testing) — last checked 15 September 2026
- National Candle Association — elements of a candle: wax — last checked 15 September 2026