Whisky, knitwear, and a morning well spent on Waiheke Island.

The Heke was founded by two families rooted in Waiheke Island - the Izzards, who created Waiheke Whisky, and the Hindmarsh's, who founded the Waiheke Brewing Company. Together, they combined their craft and vision to create The Heke: a distillery, brewery, and restaurant that reflects the land it rises from. Co-owned by Mark and Ro Izzard, and Mark and Vivian Hindmarsh, The Heke is more than a hospitality venture - it’s a family collaboration, one shaped by care, shared values, and the desire to build something lasting.

The Izzard family’s journey into whisky began in 2010, sparked by a vision to craft a world-class, distinctly New Zealand spirit right here on the island. What began with a small still in a tin shed has grown into a full distillery, producing whisky from grain to glass, matured in the coastal air of Waiheke. With a philosophy rooted in patience, transparency, and sustainability, Waiheke Whisky is a testament to what local craft can achieve when nurtured with purpose and care.

For this photoshoot, we brought the two Marks - Mark Izzard and Mark Hindmarsh - together for a morning of conversation and exploration at the Waiheke Whisky distillery. As longtime islanders, their chat wandered easily from distilling to daily life to the hopes they share for what’s still to come. Both wore pieces from our Cirrus collection - our Mens Cirrus Cable Crew and Mens Cirrus Fisherman Rib Crew Neck — garments designed for cool mornings, quiet focus, and the kind of understated utility that fits right into the rhythms of island life.