Greetings from Aoteraoa New Zealand
We work according to traditional Māori protocols that embody respect for the land and sea, and the life that flourishes there. This ensures a high level of sustainability in our operations as well as optimal potency of ingredients. We handpick from the wild in harmony with the seasons, selecting the most vibrant parts of the plants that are naturally richer in active ingredients. And we take only as much as we need, with an eye to future generations.
We work according to traditional Māori protocols that embody respect for the land and sea, and the life that flourishes there. This ensures a high level of sustainability in our operations as well as optimal potency of ingredients. We handpick from the wild in harmony with the seasons, selecting the most vibrant parts of the plants that are naturally richer in active ingredients. And we take only as much as we need, with an eye to future generations.
Co-founder and formulator
Andrea is a highly experienced ingredients developer, innovator and award-winning cosmetic chemist. This unique combination of skills has placed her at the leading edge of research into innovative skincare bioactives from distinctive native New Zealand marine and land botanicals which she has translated in to the first Māori cosmeceuticals range of high performing beauty products. She has studied both Te Reo Maori and Rongoa Maori (Maori language and traditional medicine) and applies this knowledge to all of her business
practices providing the perfect combination of Time proven knowledge and advanced skincare science.
Co-founder and COO
“Hikurangi is the mountain, Te Raparapa is the river, Ngatokimatawhaorua is the canoe, Ngāpuhi is the tribe, Ngātihine is the subtribe.”
Thomas is descendant of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngā Pōtiki tribes, born and raised on his whenua (land) here in Aotearoa – New Zealand.
The family business takes him out of this busy life in the city to give him time to reconnect with the natural surroundings and taiao Māori (natural Māori world). It also gives Thomas the precious opportunity to return back to his tūrangawaewae (ancestral home) and moana (ocean) to dive for seaweed, help with harvesting mamaku and processing the ingredients for the Te Mana skincare brand.
Thomas is finding it relaxing creating the native designs incorporated into the family brand image.
Tihei Mauri Ora!
Māori symbols articulate the story of life, love, spirituality and philosophy. When carved, tattooed or painted, they reveal the essence of who and what you are. Some of the most powerful symbols for Māori are the Koru (fern frond) and the Hei Matau (fish hook). The heart shaped Te Mana symbol pays its respect and acknowledgments to these two design concepts.
Koru represents the perpetual flow of regeneration but also acknowledges its beginning by gravitating inwards. In Te Mana heart it represents our continual search for improvement and advancement in modern skincare science while being mindful of our Tupuna (ancestors) and their traditional knowledge base. Koru shifts us to the point of origin, in order to benefit the skin with peerless Mana of Aotearoa’s land and marine botanicals.
Maui the mythical demi-god of Polynesia caught Aotearoa (New Zealand) with his fish hook and Māori soon populated the land. It is also significant that Aotearoa is from the Moana (Ocean) and so the fish hook symbolizes the link between Whenua (Land) – Moana (Ocean).
The Hei Matau is one of the most powerful protecting Māori symbols. Our hand picked ingredients and matchless skincare products are guarded by Hei Matau, to travel safe on the way to you, carrying native, artisan vitality and abundance of goods.
Thomas Paewhenua Kiwi – (main tribes Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi, subtribes Ngāti Hine, Ngā Pōtiki) is a man of many talents and a native New Zealand-born actor, stuntman, dancer, musician, choreographer and writer working in the New Zealand and international film and television industry.
Long hours of filming and wearing heavy professional make-up leave Thomas with exhausted and dehydrated skin which he has been recovering by applying nourishing, custom made-products that Andrea creates from selected native marine and land botanicals. Admiring Andrea’s deep appreciation of traditional values and amazed by hydrating effect on his skin, Thomas encouraged Andrea to create a skincare range with an exclusive traditional name and look. While Andrea was developing formulations, Thomas hand crafted a meaningful Māori image for the brand. Through his traditional heart symbol, Thomas aims to communicate the brand’s powerful and unique Mana (enduring, indestructible power) derived from the selected native botanicals that give the products their unrivalled properties.
Researching the unrivalled efficacy of our biodiverse flora and fauna, and developing cutting-edge skincare products, is the core of what we do. Our key ingredients are backed by clinical trials that demonstrate significant gains in skin regeneration and hydration, as well as pigment reduction and protection against environmental stressors.
In addition, all Te Mana products are dermatologically tested and gentle to sensitive skin.
BioRestore3Plus is our proprietary, flagship ingredient that creates a huge advantage in the efficacy and distinctiveness of our brand.
BioRestore3Plus is a blend of the world’s most effective, all natural, multitasking botanicals, renowned for their remarkable antioxidant and moisture-retaining properties.
This top performing trio of native red and green seaweeds is abundant with naturally occurring polysaccharides and peptides, that help to enhance skin’s barrier function, protect against water loss and act as a powerful antioxidant.
