ABOUT

We started making balms when my brother(below in the photo supporting Raiha at rugby) told me about Kawakawa Balm, I asked around the family to see if anyone makes this traditional Māori Rongoā. I couldn’t find anyone close , so we set out on our journey into Rongoā. 

 At first we made it for friends and family, but when we started getting busier, we decided to turn it into a business.

I have shared every step of this journey with Raiha, and she is well known to attend all hui(meetings), and all Rongoā courses, and trips to the ngahere(bush).

We travelled around the north Island learning about how different Rongoā grows, depending on the climate humidity and wind.

We have been lucky enough to receive awhi(support)from Donna Kerridge(Whaea Donna and Raiha after a 2 day Rongoa making course), who we absolutely admire.  
Pa Ropata has been an amazing kaiako (teacher) whom we have been so lucky to receive so much knowledge about rongoā.

Ka ora te Whenua, ka ora te Tangata   
When the land is well, human kind will be well.

This quote is from Rob McGowan  (Pa Ropata) -Tiwaiwaka

As we don’t often know who is receiving our balms, we have added a piece of Pounamu (greenstone) into our Rongoā(balm), as an exchange of energy between us and the receiver. This is a gift from us to you.
Isaac( Raiha and Isaac at the markets-picture below), Cautney and Raiha travel around the motu(land) harvesting sustainably and with intention.

If you find that the label isn’t on straight or you find some residual Kawakawa leaves on the bottom, just remember, we are teaching our whānau(family)and everything is hand made by us. Raiha loves pouring, so if you find you have a jar that is filled to the top, no need to pay us extra, you can enjoy that on us. 
Our Rongoa is made the way it was meant to be made.

Nga mihi nui    Raiha Rongoā