About

Zoe's Kawakawa began in 2012

12 year old Zoe, big dreams, and a science project at Palmerston North Intermediate School. Fast forward to today – who would have thought Zoe’s Kawakawa products are now sold in 200+ stores around Aotearoa?

We’re a family owned and operated business, providing quality handcrafted natural products made from the best kawakawa. We are tangata tiriti (treaty people) committed to tautoko community non-profit organisations, rangatahi (youth), and kaupapa Māori. We partner with The Herb Farm and Moana Road and are genuinely grateful to so many who support us, so we can support others.

Zoe's Kawakawa was brought to life through partnership with our friend Lynn Kirkland from the Herb Farm in 2012. We are grateful for the science teachers of Palmerston North - Warwick Grady and Dr Heather Meikle, our legendary friends and family who have supported us from the beginning.

Values

No Nasty Ingredients

We aim to decommission DEET - (Diethyltolumide), and provide a safe alternative to commercially available insect repellents containing nasty chemical ingredients like DEET that are harmful to you and the environment. These chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream and waterways. Zoe’s Kawakawa products are 100% natural, better for you and the earth.

Honest Sustainability

We believe in sustainable sourcing of ingredients and grow our own kawakawa in the Manawatū. We provide recyclable and refillable options to decrease embodied energy and waste.

Community Transformation

A percentage of our profits go toward crafting a kinder world through investment in the next generation of tangata whenua and tangata tiriti young scientists passionate about sustainability and conservation and financially supporting kaupapa that empower communities.

WE SUPPORT

The Wellington Free Store

We love the Wellington Free Store. It is a welcoming, inclusive community that freely redistributes quality surplus food from 70+ Wellington eateries to anybody who wants kai. Many hands contribute to The Free Store running, a beautiful crew of diverse volunteers that form a joyful community encouraging each other to live more sustainably through rescuing wasted kai.
OHFI - Open Home Foundation International

OHFI are an Aotearoa based organisation working to protect and empower vulnerable children and their families around the world. Their vision is for every child in the world to belong to a home, family and community where they are safe and loved; to receive a good diet, health care, and education.
Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School

Zoe's Kawakawa began at PNINS with the encouragement of a phenomenal science teacher, Mr Grady. To invest in the next generation of young scientists, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti who are passionate about sustainability and conservation, Zoe gives Bruce McKenzies book vouchers and Kawakawa products annually to tauira (students) receiving science lab assistant awards.

The Science

Why Kawakawa?

Kawakawa is indigenous to Aotearoa and taonga to tangata whenua. Kawakawa is used in rongoā Māori (Māori medicine), for spiritual and physical healing. Kawakawa symbolises luck, the beginning and end of life, and is used for blessing kai. Kawakawa's two main active ingredients Elemicin and Myristicin are increased in potency when the Looper Caterpillar chews the leaves to create the distinctive holes; it is the only insect immune to kawakawa. Kawakawa is antimicrobial, used in brewing tea, beer and other Māori cuisines. Kawakawa is a very powerful plant.

The scientific journey of Zoe’s Kawakawa

Zoe’s Kawakawa Balms and Spray are a result of six years of in-depth science and technology investigations. Mentors and experts have guided Zoe through multiple medicinal extraction methods; oil infusion, hydro distillation, and alcohol tincture, and supported through testing and analysis.