Pre-order timing: Current orders will be dispatched once the first shipment arrives in New Zealand. Estimated dispatch from Wellington: late October–early November 2026.

In-stock: In-stock orders are packed and dispatched from Wellington. 

Destinations:

• New Zealand: tracked courier with photo confirmation on delivery. No signature required.

• Australia: NZ Post Economy Tracked. (Shop Australia)

• Other destinations: Get in touch at hello@materialbooks.co.nz and let's see what we can arrange!

Cost & delivery times: Shipping cost and estimated delivery time are shown at checkout. 

Packaging: Delivery is safely packaged in cardboard packaging. If you are worried about moisture, especially if you are ordering to a climate that has a high chance of rain, you can add an optional plastic wrap to your delivery free of charge at checkout to protect the book(s). Unfortunately, the plastic wrap isn't biodegradable, but you may be able to reuse it, and depending on your location, you may be able to recycle it.

Returns, missing or damaged orders:

We don’t offer returns for change of mind. If your book arrives damaged, faulty or incorrect, or your order doesn’t arrive, please contact us at hello@materialbooks.co.nz as soon as possible, and we’ll arrange an appropriate replacement or refund. We’ll cover reasonable return shipping where the item is faulty or damaged. Please include as much information and images as possible in your email.

Your rights under the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 are not affected.

Payments are processed securely through Stripe. 

Accepted payment methods may vary depending on your location. Most common payment options include American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, JCB, Klarna, Mastercard and Visa. Invoice option available on request for large orders.

For more information about the books' contents, contact the book authors directly. However, Design & Material Books NZ has collated some relevant answers below.

Where can I find materials for the recipes showcased in the Marvelous Materials book and The CHEMARTS Coobkook?

The experiments in the Marvelous Materials book and the CHEMARTS Cookbook use only bio-based ingredients. 

You can get craft items, such as paper, masking tape, yarn, and colors, from a craft store or well-equipped supermarket. Grocery stores sell starch, baking soda, and food coloring. You can order special materials, such as methyl cellulose, online.

Some ingredients and tools used in the CHEMARTS Cookbook experiments are not easily accessible, and some recipes require close collaboration with a company or research institute. The book offers some instructions for both individuals and institutions on where to source materials.

What else do I need?

Marvelous Materials: To experiment with materials, you need a place to work where there is space to try things out and where you do not need to worry about making a mess. A space at home or in a classroom is suitable, as long as you have a table, stovetop or hotplate, and a tap. Depending on the experiment, you also need various kitchen utensils and tools. The book recommends that you use different equipment for experimenting with materials than you use for cooking food. Although all the ingredients in the book are non-toxic and harmless, always consider safety when you are working. Read more info in the book.

The CHEMARTS Cookbook: The recipes are divided into two categories based on their complexity, recommended working environment and required tools. These categories are: Workshop and Laboratory (see below). The more you explore, the more you may want to try out and it may be worth investing in some more advanced tools and materials. Wherever you work with material experiments, always make sure you use protective gloves and clothing, and that the space in which you are working has proper ventilation. Some recipes in the Workshop category are also suitable for trying out also with school children. 

1. Workshop

It is useful to have a space dedicated for CHEMARTS Cookbook experiments. You need a table, stove or hotplate, and a water tap. Maybe you have access to a specific workshop space or a makerspace in which you can conduct wet experiments. If you decide to work at home, all you need is basic craft or cooking tools, but please note that you should never use the same equipment that you have used for your material explorations afterwards for preparing food. Cover worktops with baking paper or brown paper used in renovations and use an apron to avoid stains. Natural colours, for example, might stain your garments.

2. Laboratory

For the most advanced recipes in The CHEMARTS Cookbook, you will need access to a professional laboratory. These can be found at schools, universities or other research institutes working in material research. Expertise and equipment vary according to their research focus. To obtain access to these facilities, you may need to participate in a course, set up collaboration with researchers, or become part of a research project. In professional laboratories you can use a broader range of chemicals and access state-of-the-art equipment such as kraft pulp cooking machinery for pulping, or a Masuko grinder for microfibrillar cellulose. Make sure to always follow the instructions provided by the space owner.

Read more info in the CHEMARTS Cookbook.

Design & Material Books NZ is happy to provide more books and bulk orders are available on request. Get in touch: hello@materialbooks.co.nz.

Thes books are presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The authors, publisher, importer and distributor do not offer it as professional services advice. 

The best efforts were made in preparing the books, but the authors, publisher, importer and distributor make no representations or warranties of any kind and assume no liabilities of any kind with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. 

Neither the authors, the publisher, the importer, nor the distributor shall be held liable or responsible to any person or entity with respect to any loss or incidental or consequential damages caused or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained herein.

Design & Material Books NZ is a small independent Aotearoa New Zealand bookseller specialising in publications about design, materials, creative practice and interdisciplinary making.

The aim is simple: make specialist titles that can otherwise be difficult or expensive to source in this part of the world more accessible to readers in New Zealand and Australia. 

Let's make the future more sustainable with bio-based materials! 💚