
Just 32 Travel Products You Didn't Know You Needed
1. Self-heating soothing foot masks to bring some soothing warmth to your sore feet after a long day of travel. With shea butter to moisturize the skin and Epsom salt to help relieve soreness, these little booties can help provide some relaxation! Just toss a few of these masks into your carry-on, you'll be soooo glad you did at the end of each day on vacation when you're trying to recover at the hotel.
Read more about how an Epsom salt soak or bath can help with muscle pain and soreness at Cleveland Clinic.
Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: I'm a long-ish distance runner and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and after a few minutes feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!
Promising review:"Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018
Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97.
2. A flat RFID-blocking fanny pack that can keep your most valuable items strapped close to your chest — it's necessary while you weave through busy airport terminals and also great for getting around the whole "only one personal item per person" thing. With two zipper pockets to store all of your miscellaneous necessities, as well as a keychain hook, this bag is perfect for your excursions, too!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Discreet yet spacious. I purchased this for a recent trip. I was able to fit my phone, passport, credit cards, and cash in it easily and it wasn't bulky or obvious under my clothing. It was comfortable to wear for extended periods of time." — KailensMom
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 21 styles and two sizes).
3. A vacuum-free space-saving compression bag so you can pack three times the clothes without needing to spend that extra moolah on baggage fees. And there's no need for a pump either, since these bags can just be rolled up to suck out all of the air and keep your clothes as compressed as possible.
Just pack in your clothes, roll up the bag, and watch as the excess air is squeezed out.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to neatly pack the entirety of my wardrobe in one roller carry-on bag. Truly all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and then sit on it to get the air out before sealing it up. I had tons of extra bags and make a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips need them to be able to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny.
Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.98.
4. A hands-free (rotating!) phone mount perfect for propping up your device during any long plane rides. The strong clamp can attach itself to just about anything — your seat tray, suitcase handle, etc. And the dual joints and 360-degree rotation allow for the best viewing angles! Now you don't have to settle for absolute boredom when boarding those budget airlines that don't have a screen.
Perilogics is a small business creating hyper-functional tool holsters and bags for carrying your stuff on the go.
Promising review: "I bought this nifty gadget about six months ago for a multi-leg, ultra-long-haul trip, and it more than held up the entire duration. I was able to finagle it to fit the tray tables on different planes, and like others, I find the height just nice when clamped onto a stowed tray table. It also works on my roller carry-on handle during layovers." — Earendil
Get it from Amazon for $12.29+ (available in five colors and in multipacks).
5. A slim profile phone power bank because you will constantly be using your phone to translate common phrases, scour through Google Maps, and check out the local guides. Don't let its slim exterior fool you; this device is one of the highest-reviewed power banks on Amazon for a reason. It can charge a smartphone up to three times while still being light enough to comfortably carry around through the terminals!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I like the solid and sleek construction. Fits easily in my pocket. Most importantly it works! Fast charging, enough capacity to charge my phone many times over several days, and withstands plenty of me dropping it and yanking the cord out awkwardly and accidentally." — Joe Hull
Get it from Amazon for $16.18+ (available in two colors).
6. A garment and travel bag set you can use when you want to keep your fancy-schmancy outfit wrinkle-free. This bag is water-resistant and comes with a separate shoe compartment! You can use this as your carry-on so your all-important outfit stays safe from airport security!
www.amazon.com
Beauty Goodies is a small business that specializes in chic storage and travel accessories.
Promising review: "This garment bag is an exceptional value for the money. Well built, top quality materials, including 'beefy' zippers, should hold up well for airline travel. Minimal wrinkles if any in garments, and a cavernous bag for storing shoes and other items for a trip. Added bonus, it fits easily in the plane overhead storage, similar in size to a standard roller bag. I highly recommend this product." — Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $40.99+ (available in three colors).
7. A set of Sea Bands for those who get nauseous when they even think about stepping into a moving vehicle. Applying pressure to the P6 acupressure point on each wrist can help almost instantly relieve motion sickness! Time to burrow into your plane seat or board that boat confidently, comfortable in the fact that the pesky nausea won't be creeping up on you.
www.amazon.com
Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review:"These were awesome! My entire family suffers from motion sickness, especially carsickness. My little one gets sick in the car on a regular car ride through the city. So I knew that a long road trip was going to be a disaster. I was amazed at how well these bands worked for everyone! Not one single person complained about being sick for 12 hours in the car. I have suffered for decades and now I know better. I will never travel without mine again!" — 1SmartCookie
Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.51+ (available in six colors and individually).
8. An expandable jacket and bag gripper you can clip onto your suitcase to hold your essentials, like a travel pillow, jacket, personal item, and more, as you scoot along through the airport. Here's to quickly gathering all your stuff post-screen and freeing up those hands!
Promising review:"I had this travel strap attached to my backpack as a just in case. It's small and hardly noticeable so it wasn't in the way. When I finally needed it while on a trip, it was a lifesaver. I was able to attach some shopping bags, thankfully being able to keep my hands free." — Jonesy96
(Psst — if you're looking for an attachable cup holder similar to the one in the reviewer image above, you can find one for $13.98 on Amazon!)
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in seven colors).
9. A set of silicone "EarPlanes" (which regulate air pressure) to help prevent those awful ear pains that are sure to happen the moment the plane takes off or lands.
Promising review:"This product has changed my life. I travel fairly frequently and always have issues with ear pressure on the plane. My ears will be clogged up, and it is painful to swallow for a day or two after short-distance flights. But now, I use these and fly incident-free. You are supposed to insert them before the plane takes off and then before landing. I have found that it works best if I leave them in the entire flight from before takeoff until landing, but they work almost as well if you take them out once you reach cruising altitude." — Thomasina
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $19.49 (also available in packs of one, four, five, and 10).
10. A compact but mighty 2-in-1 wall charger and portable power bank so you don't have to fight over which gadget you'll choose to charge in that one measly outlet near you on your flight or while hanging out at your gate. You can now charge up to three devices at once (yeah, your laptop too!!!), and can even juice up your devices if there's no outlet in sight!
Amazon
Promising review: "I traveled for four weeks and this nice unit was perfect — charged everyone's iPhones during the day, and my iPad and my computer while taking the train for a few hours at a time. Other than it being a little heavy for all day carrying, it was a perfect unit to buy." — Julie
Get it from Amazon for $109.99 (available in two styles).
11. A newly-updated AirFly that'll let you connect your AirPods (or any wireless headphones) to your airplane seat! Now, you won't have to use those uncomfy plastic earbuds the airline gives you — you can use the headphones of your choice while still enjoying the free in-flight entertainment that is offered!
Here's what BuzzFeeder Chelsea Stuart has to say about them: "Last year I splurged on some AirPod Maxes and for the amount of money I threw down on them, I was determined to get as much use out of them as possible and that included on plane rides. With the AirFly Pro, I can connect my headphones via Bluetooth and use the seat-back screen without having to fiddle with the free wired headphones they hand out that 1.) have horrible sound quality and 2.) don't fit my ears in the slightest. (I swear my ear canals are tiny or something??)"
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok and bought it instantly for an upcoming trip. I wish I knew about this sooner so I could enjoy inflight entertainment without needed additional headphones. This allows for that, which is great. It works so well, my husband bought one as well. Highly recommend." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in five styles and three colors).
12. An Airplane Pocket tray cover because losing your earbuds in the endless void of the seat pouch in front of you is a really lousy way to start your vacation. This keeps your personal effects organized and on hand for that mid-flight boredom — no more having to stand up and reach for the overhead compartment to find your novel. Plus, this way, you won't accidentally leave behind your fave lip balm on the plane.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action.
Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products.
I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves!
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
13. Plus, a patterned travel tray for kids so you're not having to wipe down your little one's tray table after every spill or reach down to grab whatever toy they dropped, every five minutes. You deserve to lounge in comfort.
Amazon
Lusso Gear is a small business that specializes in travel products.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this for traveling with kids!!! We bought this for a recent trip with our daughter and it made snack time and playtime on the flight so much easier and mess-free. It's sturdy, high-quality, and fits perfectly on the tray table and tablet. It's also a nice extra layer of protection from germs when traveling. Our daughter loved the cute mermaid design too!" — Laura Knotts
Get it from Amazon for $26.95 (available in six prints).
14. A rechargeable mini white noise maker for those of you who have trouble sleeping to the sound of silence. This lil' machine has 15 different nonlooping sounds: white noise, fan, rain, and more! Plus the charge lasts for entire daysss AND is only the size of your palm!
Promising review:"I am a flight attendant and sometimes have a hard time falling asleep while away in my hotels without my home white noise maker. This is compact and rechargeable so it is super easy to keep with me on my trips! It also has great volume range from very low to quite loud! I would recommend even for home use if you don't have a ton of space but want to use a white noise machine." — Faith Morris
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in 10 colors and in packs of two).
15. A portable hanging luggage organizer that comes with built-in shelves, so you don't have to completely unpack when you're only making a quick weekend trip for the holidays. You can just pull it out of your suitcase and hang it in your closet.
www.amazon.com
Bonus: This works with your existing suitcase, unlike versions of this that come pre-built into more expensive versions!
Promising review:"I was able to pack seven outfits and have way more space in this organizer. I just packed the clothes in the organizer, closed it up, and placed it in my carry on. Once I got to the hotel, I just hung it in my closet. It would be perfect for cruises since their is never any drawer space and very little room to move around." — jess
Get it from Amazon for $27.39+ (available in four colors and several sets and sizes).
16. A fully waterproof travel backpack to fit as many items as you can possibly jam-pack into it while still being able to slide it under the seat in front of you. It's able to zip open completely — yes, like a suitcase — so you can find whatever you need! It has plenty of pockets, a compartment just for wet items, and another for shoes.
Promising review:"I recently took a cross-country flight with my three kids. I really didn't want to worry about checked bags getting lost so maximizing our carry-ons was a priority. This backpack fit an unfathomable amount of stuff! Lots of zippers and compartments for everything from shoes to laptops/iPads, easy access compartments for cell phones and boarding passes, I fit tons of neatly folded clothes. The best part was that fully loaded it easily slid under the seat." — Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.79+ (available in two sizes and 40 styles).
17. An adjustable mini belted pack that can keep your most valuable items strapped close to your chest — it's necessary while you weave through busy airport terminals. With several pockets to store all of your miscellaneous necessities, this bag is perfect for any excursion, too!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "TikTok told me this compared to Lululemon, and it's true, it is. Love this little bag! And the price — you can't beat it." — Jolie
BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly also owns this — she packed it as her only bag for a busy trip to Iceland, and not only did it hold a ton and keep her hands free, it easily fit around her waist over her outerwear.
Get it from Amazon for $13.98 (available in 45 colors).
18. A luggage drink caddy because the most important item on your travel day checklist is the Starbucks drink you pick up as a reward after braving the tedious security line. This just attaches right onto your suitcase and has two large pockets — perfect for carrying that breakfast sandwich you couldn't resist ordering along with your favorite Refresher.
Promising review: "This cup holder is perfect! It helps me a lot! Last time I took a plane with a suitcase and a cup of coffee, when it's my turn to check my passport and ticket, the coffee cup fell to the ground and coffee sprinkled. It was a nightmare! This time I bought this cup holder, it did do me a favor! I don't have to worry about where my cup and phone are! I can free my hands to do other things. I love it so much! Hope you love it too." — Philip
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 25 colors).
19. A digital luggage scale so you're not zipping open your bulky suitcase right there on the floor of the airport's check-in counter and trying to stuff three different coats into your son's backpack. Bring this puppy wherever the adventure takes you, and never have to worry about paying those exorbitant oversized baggage fees again!
www.amazon.com
Check out BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly's TikTok of the digital luggage scale in action.
Promising reviews:"This scale works and was accurate on four flights. First flight was a test at 46 pounds and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49 but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel." — Robert
Get it from Amazon for $7.90 (available in four colors and also a two-pack).
20. A compact travel cable organizer to keep all of your favorite small gadgets and chargers on hand and keep the mess of wires compact so that they're not taking up any much-needed space in your bag.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"This case has been amazing for storing my earbuds, various loose cable connectors, chargers, etc. I am using it right now on a trip and it has been fantastic for keeping these items in one convenient, organized place. It is lightweight and fits easily into my one carry on item when boarding the many flights I am taking. I'm pretty sure I will still be using it to keep all these items together and more easy to locate when I return home! I am so glad I bought this!" — V. Elia
Get it from Amazon for $9.84 (available in two sizes and 21 colors).
21. A transparent TSA-approved toiletry bag you can toss all your liquids into so you don't need to spend 10 minutes in the security line off to the side trying to transport all your makeup into a Ziplock bag (been there, done that, don't recommend).
Promising review:"This bag held surprisingly more than expected. I put tiny travel jars for my skincare creams and other small toiletries in it with room to spare. I definitely feel like it was easier to pack and was also easy to grab out of my bag for security. It feels sturdy with nice, thick vinyl. The double zipper moved easily, and I was pleased that it opened completely for ease of getting the items I needed out of it." — Mrs M Tate
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 11 colors).
22. And a pack of LeakLocks Toiletry Skins that can be extended to fit both full-size and travel-size toiletries like shampoo, sunscreen, or any other liquids — because the last thing you want is droplets of your foundation staining your expensive top.
www.amazon.com
Rinseroo is a small business specializing in problem-solving cleaning, pet, and travel products.
Promising review: "These covered various sizes of products — hair care, body wash, etc. Nothing leaked out of these whatsoever, even after a lid popped open during a flight. These prevented it from leaking out on the other contents of my luggage. Easy to use. Not flimsy. Very flexible. LOVE THESE!" — TAG
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two styles and also in packs of eight).
23. A magnetic folding pill organizer to keep a mini pharmacy on hand, so you're not trying to dig through your bag for different bottles. Each one has seven compartments (one large, six small) and can safely store any size pill or vitamin you need. No need to lug around large bottles in your carry-on; you can just toss one of these little organizers instead.
Promising review:"I purchased this because I saw them all over TikTok. As someone with chronic illness I honestly carry around like 10 different pill bottles for 'just in case' situations. This little pill box is a great size, I love that it's magnetic and each little compartment fits a good amount of pills. It won't fit a ton of Tums if that's what you're looking for, but the amount of space this has saved in my bag is amazing!" — Jasmin Salas
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 11 colors, two sizes, and two-packs).
24. A waterproof pouch so you don't need to leave behind your precious phone, cash, or IDs on the shore when you know there's no one watching your bag. Now you can finally take pics of that beautiful coral reef you see when scuba diving on your vacation.
It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). It's also a great fix for keeping out sand and dirt (and a great option for runners, if you're caught in the rain but still want to be able to toggle through your music options).
Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about it: "With these, I find that they're good for about a day due to condensation. I've used this case to take underwater pics, on boat rides, and have worn it with the lanyard, jumping off a boat into water. So I really trust these!"
Promising review:"I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend, and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. Being the rebel that I am, I chose not to wear my phone around my neck. And so it, my ID, and my debit card ended up at the bottom of the river. Fast-forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff's Office diver, and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open, but there was not one single drop of water in it, and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" — Julie McDonald
Get it from Amazon for $6.45+ (available in 14 colors and a two-pack).
25. Alleyoop's portable travel razor that's got everything you need for a quick shave on the go: a refillable spray bottle for easy skin prep, a shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges. This compact razor is the perfect addition to toss into your suitcase.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Alleyoop is a woman-owned small business that specializes in functional makeup products.
Promising review: "This is so handy!! I love that I can leave this in my travel bag and I don't have to worry about it leaking, or cutting myself when digging around. I'm notorious for leaving something behind where ever I go so I love having less stuff to keep track of! A swipe of the shaving balm goes further than I expected as well and I haven't had any issues with my sensitive skin while using it. Will buy again when it needs replacing." — Amber
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in two colors).
Psst — check out all of Alleyoop's other travel-friendly products for more clever options!
26. A blister-preventing balm to help you avoid any unnecessary foot pain. This balm adds a layer of protection so that you can hike through your vacation worry-free.
Amazon
BodyGlide is a small business that specializes in chafe-preventing personal care products.
Promising review:"Wow. I took this on vacation, during which we walked about 20,000 steps daily. And of course my shoes begin to rub against parts of my feet, terribly. But I smeared this on and it was amazing. I did have to reapply a few times a day, in public, but I highly recommend this!! I used it on my toes, ankle area, etc., and my feet felt great (normal)." — Y.
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
27. A reusable, portable gel lint roller you can easily toss into your carry-on so you can keep your ~fancy~ outfit looking clean, pristine, and free from the loose fuzz that somehow keeps ruining your classic black button-up.
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok a bunch of times and finally decided to get it. I hate the paper lint rollers, they never seem to work that well and I hate that I have to throw them away. This is awesome because it fits right in my bag, and I'm able to reuse it over and over. It's super sticky and works great!" — Ella
Get it from Amazon for $9.89+ (available in four colors and two-packs).
28. A soft Trtl neck pillow, that frankly looks almost like a scarf. You can easily adjust it to give you that perfect tilt ratio that brings the ultimate comfort. Time to actually get some snoozes on the plane. 😴😴😴
Amazon
Check out a TikTok of the Trtl neck pillow in action.
Promising review:"Small and sturdy. Keeps your neck positioned up instead of lolling off to the side. You will wake up refreshed and not sore (in the neck anyways) airplane travel is stressful but this little gem makes it bearable. Kudos to the creator! First time I actually slept comfortably on a plane. Other neck sleepers don't compare." — Judy M.
Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in four colors).
29. An extremely clever and portable AI-powered smartphone stabilizer to make you feel like a Quentin Tarantino-level movie director, as it'll help you capture the most seamless, cinematic shots as you trapeze through your scenic vacation. Your Insta story is about to be submitted for an Oscar.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"The Insta 360 is small and compact and works well with the app. It's intuitive and easy to handle, not bulky or heavy. Perfect size and takes all movement out of videos while walking or moving. Love this item." — Thomas
Get it from Amazon for $104.99+ (available in two styles).
30. A pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes, so that you can completely wipe your face free from makeup as you're stuck on that overnight flight. Instead of lugging around a huge, clunky pack of wipes, these tiny individual ones can just be tossed into your bag for that on-the-go freshness.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I always have a few of these in my purse as well as using them for travel. It is perfect for removing makeup and making your face feel fresh. I love that it is great for sensitive skin and the individual packets make it perfect to always have some with you." — Bonnie Review
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $6.88 (also available in fragrance free).
31. A compact microfiber towel that can fold itself down to be so small it's sure to fit in or be clipped onto any overpacked carry-on. This will prove itself to be your saving grace when you are unable to find anything to dry yourself with after taking an unscheduled dip at the beach. The towel is lightweight and fast to dry, so it is easy to pack and soft to the touch!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Perfect towel for the gym, travel, and more! I have two of these towels, a large one and a small one. I live on a boat, where space is limited and the fact that these towels fold up incredibly small is my favorite thing! My second favorite thing is how fast they dry when hung up, so that I can store them away without having to wait hours and hours for them to dry in my compartment. I use the small towel at the gym and it is super absorbent and super lightweight, I usually forget it is on me. Fantastic towel, definitely recommend." — Sam the Man
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 13 colors and seven sizes).
32. A quick-release vegan leather travel belt to strap and secure your personal item to your luggage, no matter which bag you decide to bring along on your vacation. Getting through TSA will be a breeze for a travel pro like you.
Cincha Travel
Cincha Travel is a California-based small business that specializes in adjustable travel belts made out of vegan leather. The brand donates 100 airline miles for each purchase, which are used to reconnect separated migrant families.
Promising review:"I try to go on trips with just a carry-on and backpack. The issue is my backpack always gets so heavy and hurts my back on travel days. This belt completely solves that problem! It is high quality, comfortable, and looks super sleek! It's my favorite travel precut hands-down! — Benjamin
Get it from Cincha Travel for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and 15 colors with additional monogramming for $12) or from Amazon for $39.99 (available in 17 colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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When settlers came, Sinnott says that inebriation became a tool for colonizers to control the Māori people."'If you talk to other Māori winemakers, they're in a business to make money. But they are also in the business of providing employment so that people can improve themselves.""But after the beliefs of the Christian church became widely adopted, wine, the sacramental beverage, held a particular reverence. 'Māori being involved in the wine industry is a modern adaptation,' says Sinnott. While connection to the land is a cornerstone for both winemakers and Māori, there's also a pragmatic reason to enter the wine industry. 'Producing wine is as much economic as it is cultural because we have a very, very tenuous cultural link to alcohol,' says Sinnott. 'If you talk to other Māori winemakers, they're in a business to make money. But they are also in the business of providing employment so that people can improve themselves. There's an opportunity for communities." Related: Experience New Zealand's South Island via Tiny Seafood Shacks For the wine industry to fully embrace Māori culture, producers must be open to education. 'Generally, I think most people are engaging with Māori culture from an authentic interest and curiosity to understand values and principles of te ao Māori [the Māori worldview],' says Jannine Rickards, owner and winemaker of Huntress Wines in Wairarapa. 'There are, of course, people who take the opportunity to use cultural aspects for commercial gain. The same thing as greenwashing, culture washing is something that the consumer needs to be wary of.' Rickards, along with a small group of other winemakers in the region, created the Te Reo Māori Booklet for Wine Growers in Wairarapa. The goal was to engage with the local iwi (tribe) and further a connection to the region, history, and its people. The booklet provides a history of Aotearoa as conveyed by Māori storytelling. It contains a glossary of winemaking terms and explains both the growing cycle in the Māori language and how to introduce oneself in a mihimihi, a traditional personal introduction where a person shares their name, where their ancestors come from and where they live. Some wineries, such as Ata Rangi and Oraterra, share the booklet with international staff members and customers at the cellar door, or include it with new releases. Rickards says the booklet is just a starting point. In partnership with the local Hau Ariki Marae, a sacred communal gathering space, the Wairarapa Winegrowers committee hosted a hākari (feast) and noho (sleepover) at the cultural center to educate people not originally from Wairapara. 'We have ambitions to grow and further this initial project to encompass more learning that can be shared within the region,' says Rickards. This wave of international interests in New Zealand has again raised questions about respecting Māori culture. 'There are a lot of foreign companies that want to be Māori,' says Haysley MacDonald, founder and owner of te Pā Winery in Marlborough, and a member of the TUKU Collective. 'And so they get a wine brand with a Māori name, whack a label on a bottle, and sell it around the world. That's a tough one when you are Māori,' he says. 'You have a heritage, and you see your names and places being ripped off by many global giants, large supermarkets, and those that don't give it the respect that it deserves.' MacDonald believes Māori language and iconography should be trademarked and protected, much like how sparkling wine can only be labeled as Champagne if it was made in the famed French region. 'Our Māori names are used in vain all over the world,' he says. Such authenticity can only help Māori producers, and perhaps the wine industry itself. 'I'm noticing that all around the globe, the younger generation, especially, are getting more interested in what they're drinking and who's behind it,' says MacDonald. 'I think that's been very good for us as a business. People can relate to all our brand stories, all our iconography, and know that we're real.' Read the original article on Food & Wine
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Major airlines may have been secretly selling your flight data to DHS, report claims
Americans' flight data may have been sold to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without their knowledge, internal CBP documents obtained by 404 Media suggest. A data broker, the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), owned by several of the top airlines in the U.S., including Delta, American Airlines, and United, reportedly gathered the flight records of U.S. travelers and sold access to CBP. Part of the contract was that CBP wasn't allowed to share where the data had originated from, the report says. The data included passengers' names, itineraries, and financial information, according to Wired. CBP is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The agency has stated that it requires the data to support state and local law enforcement in tracking individuals of interest. This comes after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outlined how it also bought the data. 'The big airlines—through a shady data broker that they own called ARC—are selling the government bulk access to Americans' sensitive information, revealing where they fly and the credit card they used,' Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden said in a statement. "ARC has refused to answer oversight questions from Congress, so I have already contacted the major airlines that own ARC—like Delta, American Airlines, and United—to find out why they gave the green light to sell their customers' data to the government." Publicly shared documents show that ARC is owned and operated by at least eight top U.S. airlines. Delta, Southwest, United, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, as well as European airlines Lufthansa and Air France, in addition to Air Canada, all have representatives on the company's board of directors. Over 240 airlines use ARC's services for ticket settlement. The company also connects airlines and travel agencies, locating travel trends with other companies such as Expedia. It also provides fraud prevention, the ARC YouTube channel and website show. The selling of travel information is conducted via the company's Travel Intelligence Program (TIP). The documents obtained by 404 Media via a Freedom of Information Act request state that CBP needed access to the information 'to support federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify persons of interest's US domestic air travel ticketing information.' The documents reveal that ARC asked CBP to 'not publicly identify vendor, or its employees, individually or collectively, as the source of the Reports unless the Customer is compelled to do so by a valid court order or subpoena and gives ARC immediate notice of same.' The data delivers 'visibility on a subject's or person of interest's domestic air travel ticketing information as well as tickets acquired through travel agencies in the U.S. and its territories,' the documents state. According to a DHS Privacy Impact Assessment, the data is updated daily and includes more than a billion records over the course of 39 months of travel, both past and future. TIP can be searched using names, credit cards, or airlines. However, the data only includes travel arrangements made using a travel agency accredited by ARC, such as Expedia. 'If the passenger buys a ticket directly from the airline, then the search done by ICE will not show up in an ARC report,' the assessment states. It also says that data is included on both U.S. and non-U.S. persons. The deputy director of the Center for Democracy & Technology's Security and Surveillance Project, Jake Laperruque, told 404 Media that 'While obtaining domestic airline data—like many other transaction and purchase records—generally doesn't require a warrant, they're still supposed to go through a legal process that ensures independent oversight and limits data collection to records that will support an investigation.' 'The government seems intent on using data brokers to buy their way around important guardrails and limits,' he added. A spokesperson for CBP told Wired that the agency 'is committed to protecting individuals' privacy during the execution of its mission to protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nation's economic prosperity.' 'CBP follows a robust privacy policy as we protect the homeland through the air, land and maritime environments against illegal entry, illicit activity or other threats to national sovereignty and economic security,' the spokesperson added. ARC earlier told The Lever that TIP 'was established after the September 11 terrorist attacks to provide certain data to law enforcement … for the purpose of national security matters' and criminal probes. The Independent has contacted ARC and CBP for comment.


Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
23 Life-Upgrading Finds From Black-Owned Businesses
A pair of hammered glass martini glasses with gold rims because your fancy cocktail deserves more than a boring cup. The textured glass will catch the light like a dream, and it even comes with two gold picks so your olives or cherries can be a little extra. Sisterly Drinkware is a Black woman-owned small business that makes handmade glassware. Promising review: "These have been one of my favorite finds on Amazon. This set of martini glasses is not only gorgeous, but they're large and come with cute cocktail skewers. These glasses are a great way to elevate your cocktail gatherings!" —Arriana Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in three styles). Ghetto Gastro Sweet Potato Pancake & Waffle Mix your tastebuds deserve to try immediately — the reviews raving about the texture and perfect sweetness of the sweet potato flavor speak for themselves. Bread Beauty Supply's Hair Mask Creamy Deep Conditioner — it works on all hair types, but was really developed with curly and textured hair in mind! Australian Kakadu plum + starflower oil join forces to create a superrrr hydrating, but super lightweight formula. An iconic Telfar shopper in a medium puffer style that'll help you carry basically whatever you may need for the day. These bags are super sturdy, an IYKYK accessory, and come in several colors. If the name sounds a little familiar, it might be because Beyoncé wore a Telfar look on her Cowboy Carter tour at MetLife Stadium. Or simply because you've followed anything about fashion in the past decade or so! A fashion-forward Cincha travel belt that can accommodate most any carry-on as it expands to 45 inches. This way, when your summer travels have you here, there, and everywhere, you can stack your bags instead of juggling them. A pair of classic gold-dipped hoops that take ~literally~ no effort or know-how to style. While they're pretty substantial in size, they are unbelievably lightweight so you don't have to worry about saggy lobes. A variety pack of Partake cookies that are gluten-free, kosher, and vegan! They come in delish flavors like birthday cake, ginger snap, double chocolate brownie, and cookie butter. Touch Radiance's Sweet Like Mango Body Butter — it hydrates and smoothes skin with shea butter, vitamin E, and avocado and jojoba oils (among others). Best of all, it leaves you supple but not greasy! A waterproof, UPF 50 Kin Apparel satin-lined bucket hat from a brand that's perfected satin-lined clothes and accessories to help protect your hair and keep it smooth and frizz-free. Also, we could all use another bucket hat! A tube of Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 that's a sunscreen and a moisturizer. This genius product was developed specifically for dark skin tones, and will leave no chalky residue on your skin after application. Black Girl Sunscreen is a Black woman-owned small business whose sunscreen is designed not to leave a white cast on melanated skin. It's ultra-sheer, water-resistant, and super nourishing. Plus, it's cruelty-free! Promising review: "I like that it doesn't have a strong sunscreen smell, which usually bothers me. Usually sunscreens make my skin look ashy and leave an odd color, but this one is great for dark skin tones. It leaves my skin glowing, feels lightweight, and doesn't cause breakouts like other face sunscreens I've used." —Sara BrodzinskiGet it from from Amazon for $9.99. A Dozen Cousins microwave beans variety pack might just become a pantry staple for you (they have for me!) once you realize how easily these microwavable mains will fit into your meal rotation. But that's just where the beans start! A 1,000-piece puzzle from Apostrophe Puzzles that'll give you and your roomies something to do with your hands while you watch all the drama go down on Love Island this season. It features a stunning take on Rosie the Riveter you'll absolutely want to frame when you've finished putting it together. A wall-mounted hat rack can take up *very* little room while helping maintain the shape of your caps. Each stores up to 20 baseball caps so you can finally get back some shelf space in your closet. (You may have seen this on Shark Tank!) A Speakeasy luxury candle so beloved by reviewers that many have made it the "signature scent" of their home. The blend of bourbon and palo alto is made all the more rich and complex by notes of cardamom, dark chocolate, and smoked incense, meant to "transport you to Harlem's clandestine nightclubs and secret lounges during the 1920s." A uniquely gorgeous watercolor art print to make a statement on your living room wall and give you something colorful to look forward to every day when you come home. Handmade linen dolls featuring a variety of hair textures and skin tones you might find yourself ordering for yourself even if you don't have a little one at home. The detailing on these beauties is truly incredible — they're better dressed than I am! A pair of merino wool crew socks from Shark Tank that'll wick away moisture, deter stinky odors with some comfy bells and whistles (meaning, 360-degree arch support, a flat toe seam, and extra heel cushioning). But the real kicker here is that these socks are made specifically for women's feet, which oftentimes have higher arches and narrower heels than men's feet. So you won't need to size down from a men's size to get the benefits of a superior sock. A customizable Buttah Skin kit to help you bring out your inner ~glow~, thanks to nurturing ingredients to help with dryness, discoloration, oiliness, and blemishes. If you're someone who needs a solid skincare routine, this is an excellent way to start a tried-and-true one! A concrete catch-all tray from Tara Jayne Designs because even your loose change deserves to rest on something gorgeous. Hand-poured and hand-painted with an eucalyptus branch motif, this sleek little tray brings serious artisan energy to your nightstand, vanity, or entryway. It's sealed with heat-resistant resin and finished with cork on the bottom, so it's both beautiful *and* furniture-friendly. Tara Jayne Designs is a Philadelphia-based Black woman-owned small business creating unique and functional concrete home review: "This tray is gorgeous! It is very well made and fits well in an array of decor styles. It is fairly large, so you can display/store quite a bit, and it is worth the price point. I will definitely order again!" —Kristina MitchellGet it from Tara Jayne Designs on Etsy for $30. A gorgeous ring from Adore Adorn you'll start planning all of your looks around — it comes in an array of stones and will look oh-so-fabulous alongside the baubles you already wear daily. Sugardoh's Ingrown Magic Wand made with a blend of sensitive-skin friendly blend of exfoliating and brightening acids both to help prevent the infection of ingrown hair, and to help with discoloration and hyperpigmentation caused by hair removal. A splurge-worthy iridescent cake stand from Estelle's Colored Glass you'll want to leave out on display at all times. It's not our fault if you *also* decide you need to whip up a delicious cake or muffins to plop on top of it weekly. A brass and crystal air plant mobile that'll turn your greenery into actual art. With eight shimmering prisms and space for four air plants, it's elegant, simple, and quietly show-offy in the best possible way. Hang it in a sunny window and let it do its thing.