Established in 2017, the brand has found success for its therapeutic skincare, handmade in Aotea (Great Barrier Island) using plants grown on the island.
Now the brand, founded by Tama Toki, has had one of its most popular products classified as a Class 1 medical device.
The move labels its Kawakawa Balm, created using a native plant long respected in rongoā Māori, or the traditional Māori healing system, as low risk, and enables it to be sold in pharmacies as a treatment for skin irritations associated with eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, bites, burns, and nappy rash.
The popular balm provides a natural, steroid-free solution to these skin issues, promising soothing relief and protection.
Toki has spent significant time and effort developing the range and though it is natural and sustainably made, it is also supported with science.
The Kawakawa plant contains Diayangambin, a compound recognized for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. This makes it effective in treating skin inflammation and autoimmune conditions. Diayangambin also aids in healing by reducing swelling and leukocyte infiltration in affected tissues.
According to the University of Auckland, Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) is a relative of black pepper (Piper nigrum). The family of plants to which they belong, the Piperaceae, is famous for its diverse roles in traditional medicinal and culinary practices from cultures around the world.
It is easily recognised for its heart-shaped leaves and has been used traditionally in rongoā Māori in many ways. In the past this has included as a topical balm to soothe skin issues and treat wounds as well as brewed in herbal remedies or concoctions grazes, with the aim of relieving toothache, stomach problems and other issues.
Toki says the move to have the product classified offers an opportunity not only for business growth but also to further Aotea’s research into substantiating the actives found in the native flora.
“Our formula remains the same; we have undertaken research to determine the healing constituents and redesigned the packaging focusing on ingredient transparency and application instructions, reflecting this more clinical outlook,” he says.
“The goal is to make Kawakawa Balm more accessible while continuing to validate its efficacy through scientific research. We aim to bridge the gap between Māori healing (rongoā) and modern science to showcase this to the world,” Toki explains.
The balm also contains manuka oil, the brand says is scientifically proven to be 1000x more powerful than manuka honey and 30x more powerful than tea tree oil.
Aotea’s success has been supported by a partnership with Air New Zealand since 2023, in amenity kits for business class passengers and Koru Club lounges.
Toki says this opportunity to further share mātauranga (māori knowledge) with an international audience is just the beginning for the brand.
“We’ve seen the success Manuka has had in the export market – we strongly believe that Kawakawa could be the next New Zealand native extract to be a global success story,” he says. “Kawakawa has traditionally been used as an Anti-inflammatory and Immunosuppressant and now the science is catching up,” he says.
“The premise has always been to create a business to do two things; one, invest into the infrastructure on Aotea to create jobs and opportunity, and two, reinvest cashflow into underpinning our anecdotal history with scientific research.
“We started at the farmers markets and are super excited that we have now transitioned into an area where we can innovate and provide a more clinical offering.”
The balm is available at the brand’s boutique in the Commercial Bay shopping precinct in Auckland’s CBD as well as online and in selected Life, Unichem, and Independent Pharmacies throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
