ABOUT US

Ko Ngati Kahungunu te iwi

Ko Takitimu te Waka

Ko Kaihoata te Awa

Ko Okautete te Whenua

Ko Te Mapi te Maunga

Ko tenei au, ko au tenei.

 

🌱 Our Story

Raiha Rongoā began on 22 October 2021, with a simple goal — to build something meaningful for Raiha’s future.

What started as a whānau journey into traditional Māori rongoā quickly grew into something more. After learning about kawakawa balm through family, we searched for someone local who made it — when we couldn’t find anyone, we chose to learn ourselves.

We began by making balms for friends and whānau. As demand grew, so did our purpose — turning our passion into a business grounded in knowledge, care, and tikanga.

 

 

🌿 Learning the Mātauranga

Raiha has been part of every step of this journey — attending hui, learning through wānanga, and walking alongside us through the ngahere.

Together, we have travelled across the North Island, learning how rongoā grows and adapts to different environments — from climate to soil, wind, and place.

We are grateful for the guidance and awhi of Whaea Donna Kerridge and Pā Ropata (Rob McGowan – Tiwaiwaka), whose knowledge continues to shape our journey.

💚 Our Kaupapa

“Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata”
When the land is well, the people will be well.

This whakaaro sits at the heart of everything we do.

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🌿 More Than a Balm

Raiha chooses to include a small piece of pounamu within many of our balms — a symbol of connection, carrying energy from our hands to yours.

As these balms are often shared as gifts, the pounamu becomes part of that exchange — something deeper than the balm itself.

🤍 A koha From Our Whānau to Yours

You may notice small imperfections — a label slightly off, or a trace of kawakawa leaf at the bottom.

That’s because everything is made by us, as a whānau, while teaching and growing together.

And if your jar is filled a little extra… that’s Raiha. Enjoy it on us.

 

Nga mihi nui,  Cautney, Isaac and Raiha Rongoā