The Journey and Origin of KOA

KOA was born from my lifelong, spiritual connection with nature — especially the forest. As a child, I would head into the bush with my dad, a pup tent, and only the bare essentials. Those early trips sparked something deep within me — a quiet love and respect for the natural world, and an understanding of how to move gently within it.

 

 

Over the years, my bond with nature only deepened. From camping with my own children, to the thrill of mountain biking, to simply walking among the trees when I needed peace — the ngahere has always been my refuge, my teacher, and my healer.

One day, guided by an unshakable intuition, I returned to the bush without knowing exactly why. Deep in the stillness of the forest, I came across a single Kawakawa branch, freshly fallen after a storm. I felt it immediately — this was a sign. In that moment, I knew my purpose: to create healing products from nature’s Rongoā — the traditional Māori plant medicine I’ve long respected.

Koa means joy in te reo Māori. It also happens to be my middle name. I named the brand KOA because that’s exactly what I hope to bring — joy, relief, and restoration through the gifts of the natural world.

At the heart of KOA is a powerful connection — where Tāne Mahuta (the forest) meets Tangaroa (the sea). That’s why KOA’s key ingredients are Kawakawa and Magnesium, both sourced with care and reverence for Papatūānuku (Mother Earth), and in line with Tikanga Māori.

To enhance these healing ingredients, I include organic essential oils like lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, and sweet orange — chosen not only for their therapeutic benefits, but for their ability to transform an everyday routine into something deeply nourishing.

 

 

KOA is more than skincare. It’s a daily moment to pause, reconnect with yourself, and feel grounded in the beauty of nature. With every product I create, I hope you feel that same connection and joy that I do.

Let nature in. Let her heal you.