Our story

Little ’Lato was born from founder Hannah Wood’s obsession with gelato and her dream to bring the real deal to New Zealand. After training at Carpigiani Gelato University in Italy and cutting her teeth at big-name food companies, she swapped corporate life for something sweeter.

What began in a tiny gelato shop in Auckland in 2017 has grown into one of the most loved artisan gelato brands in New Zealand — scooping joy across Aotearoa.

Smiling female ice cream shop worker wearing a white uniform and cap, standing in front of a gelato shop counter.

2015
The spark

Hannah receives a scholarship to study at the renowned Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna. What started as a bucket-list adventure quickly planted the seed for a gelato business back home in NZ.

Smiling woman behind a counter in a gelato shop, menu board listing various gelato flavors, some plants and decorative items in the background.

2017
The first scoop

In December 2017, Hannah opens her first gelato kitchen at Crave Café in Auckland’s Morningside. Within weeks, Little ’Lato is serving its first batches, fast becoming a local favourite.

Close-up of multiple tubs of different flavors of ice cream, including chocolate, vanilla, and berry, in a freezer display, with ice cream scoops resting on top.

2018
Little ‘Lato grows

A second partnership launches at Good Karma Coffee in the Auckland Fish Markets. This step opens the door to supplying cafés across Auckland, the Coromandel, Rotorua and beyond, proving that there was room for another New Zealand gelato brand in the market.

Collection of six pints of Little Lato gelato flavors arranged on a wooden stand, with waffle cones on the sides. Flavors include dark chocolate sorbet, peanut butter chocolate, speculoos caramel biscuit, roasted hazelnut, vanilla bean, and mango lassi. There is a bowl of ice cream with caramel sauce and wafer cones on the right, with some scattered nuts and crumbs.

2021
Pint-sized Beginnings

When Farro Fresh asked Hannah to supply packaged pints, she jumped at the chance. Soon Moore Wilson and other boutique stores joined in, making Little ’Lato gelato available around the country.

Group of six people, three women and three men, standing together in front of a red curtain at an awards event. They are smiling, with one holding an award plaque and another holding a framed certificate.

2022
Sweet Victory

Our Speculoos gelato scoops Supreme Champion Boutique Ice Cream Producer at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards — the first gelato ever to win the title and proving that Little ’Lato belonged among the best ice cream in NZ.

Ice cream shop with a counter displaying various ice cream flavors and a sign reading 'Mess Hall' on a brick wall.

2023
Scooping the Waikoto

We open our flagship gelato parlour in Hamilton East’s Made Market — the perfect spot for locals looking for ice cream in Hamilton. That summer, a pop-up in Waipu proves so popular it becomes permanent.

Exterior of a small café or gelato shop with a large glass window and white frame, outdoor seating with round wooden tables and stools. A sign that reads 'GELATO' is partially visible hanging above. The interior features modern lighting and decor, with a view of chairs and a counter inside.

2024
A Big Leap

Our second flagship gelato shop in Ponsonby, Auckland brings Little ’Lato to a new crowd. At the same time, our wholesale network stretches scoops from Russell to Arrowtown, serving up artisan gelato nationwide.

Group of people at an awards ceremony, holding framed certificates and trophies, standing in front of a backdrop with logos, and red curtains in the background.

2024 Awards on Awards

We take home a major haul at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards: Supreme Champion, Best Gelato, Best New Product, Best Dairy Free, and Best of NZ Produce. Our Mango Lassi (a vegan ice cream) makes history as the first dairy-free ice cream to ever win Supreme Champion.