A North American company is selling a New Zealand fragranced dishwashing detergent. Photo / Russell Smith
For Kiwis living in North America, but pining for the sweet smell of home, help is on the way.
Dishwashing liquid brand Dawn has a 'New Zealand Springs' scented product that will help you "dive into an exotic adventure", according to the Procter and Gamble owned brand's website.
"New Zealand Springs: an island oasis awaits," the website reads.
But some are questioning whether or not New Zealand springs are what consumers will want their dishes to smell like.
Canada-based New Zealand journalist Laura McQuillan tweeted a photo of the liquid, with the caption: "Canada sells "New Zealand" scented dishwashing liquid. Nek minnit your house smells like Rotorua, suckersssss."
And Instagram user @rndmactsofwill wrote: "No Dawn. You do not Smell like a New Zealand Springs. Trust. I know."
But reviews on the product's website were more positive. One said the fragrance made them think of spring "even in the middle of winter,"while another said it "takes you to New Zealand when you are washing dishes."
A third happy user wrote "the new scent of New Zealand smells like a fresh clean meadow"
Presumably, therefore, the product does not smell like Rotorua.
Available through Amazon.com, the product's fragrance is described as being inspired by the South Island, "where springs feed glacier-carved streams and verdant vistas."
The Dawn Escapes range of detergents also offer 'Fuji cherry blossom,' 'Mediterranean lavender,' Thai dragon fruit,' and 'Caribbean breeze' fragranced products.
But the irony of using New Zealand's 'clean, green' environment to sell detergent did not escape the notice of one New Zealand scientist.
Back in 2014, Victoria University senior lecturer at the Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Dr Wayne Linklater, slammed the product for using New Zealand's environment to sell detergent, which he called "an environmental hazard," that added phosphorous to waterways.
He said detergents could add excessive nutrients to lakes and rivers, causing algal blooms.
According to a 2012 report by the Parliamentary Commissioner to the Environment, "about a quarter of phosphorus from the wastewater that comes out of cities could be removed by switching to phosphorus-free detergents."
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