Ora is a proud kiwi company that started its life in 2009
when three sisters, Tessa Davis, Adele Anderson and Karen Renata, of Maori heritage hailing from
the Ngati Kahungunu Iwi, or tribe, decided to create a beauty range that
utilised traditional Maori knowledge and ingredients.
Central to their business is the use of the Mamaku black
tree fern plant extract. Regularly growing to heights of twenty
metres, the Mamaku’s young fronds and core of the trunk, or koata, was
harvested and eaten by Maori as a rich source of carbohydrates and
protein. Even today, the Mamaku plant
can still be found as a staple kai (food) at Maori feasts. In the past the
Mamaku was such an important food sources for the Maori that they
placed Tapu (sacrosanct restrictions) on the plant. Maori high priests would
declare certain resources Tapu to prevent the overexploitation of that natural
resource. Disobeying such a Tapu could potentially, and often would, result in death.
Ora inherits this Maori tradition, taking from and
respecting the Papatuanuku, or earth mother, that provides us here in New
Zealand with an abundance of natural resources. Long known to the Maori as a
potent healer with cooling and moisturising properties, Ora has naturally chosen to incorporate the
Mamaku into their skincare range. From their Mamaku Revival Gel that helps to restore
dry overexposed skin and can even be used on scars and burns, to their range of
shower and bath products to rejuvenate and nourish skin, Ora harnesses the
natural properties of Mamaku and other native New Zealand plants to nourish and
repair our skin. Plants such as the Kowhai and Kawakawa have long been used by
Maori and can be found in Ora’s products. It is fitting then, that
the young spiral fronds of the Mamaku tree fern became a national symbol (the
koru) for New Zealand. The koru fronds symbolise regeneration, new life and new
beginnings, the perfect ambassador for New Zealand and Ora’s skincare products.
Be sure to browse Ora’s range here if you are interested in trying their New Zealand made beauty products.
Be sure to browse Ora’s range here if you are interested in trying their New Zealand made beauty products.




















