The Kawakawa Plant
Natures Therapeutics Knowledge Hub
1. Introducing Kawakawa
Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most recognisable native plants. With its distinctive heart-shaped leaves, aromatic foliage and characteristic small holes made by insects, kawakawa is a familiar sight in many of our forests, particularly throughout warmer northern regions.
For generations, kawakawa has held an important place in the lives and traditions of Māori. It is treasured not only as a rongoā rākau (traditional Māori healing plant), but also for its place within mātauranga Māori, tikanga and the relationships that connect people with the natural world.
Its leaves have long been gathered and prepared for different purposes within traditional healing practices. The knowledge surrounding these practices has been passed down through generations, with particular teachings, methods and responsibilities maintained by whānau, hapū and kairongoā (Māori traditional healing practitioners).
Today, kawakawa continues to attract interest beyond its traditional uses. Its distinctive botanical characteristics and naturally occurring compounds are subjects of scientific investigation, while the plant itself has become a familiar ingredient in contemporary botanical skincare.
Yet understanding kawakawa involves more than exploring how people use it.
Before we consider its place in rongoā, traditional preparations or modern skincare, we must first recognise kawakawa as a living part of the ngahere, with relationships and responsibilities of its own.
Kawakawa's first gift is to the whenua.
2. Kawakawa and Your Skin
2.1 Why Kawakawa Is Valued in Skincare
For generations, kawakawa has been treasured in rongoā Māori for its traditional healing properties, particularly in preparations used to care for the skin.
Its leaves have traditionally been prepared in different ways to support skin comfort and wellbeing, including applications to irritated skin, minor cuts, bruises and other everyday skin concerns.
Today, kawakawa remains a valued ingredient in botanical skincare, appearing in oils, balms, creams and lotions designed to moisturise, nourish and care for the skin.
Part of the growing interest in kawakawa comes from its naturally occurring plant compounds. Scientific investigations have identified compounds with biological activity, including promising findings relating to inflammation.
The traditional use of kawakawa in rongoā Māori is grounded in generations of knowledge, observation and experience. This understanding existed long before contemporary scientific research began investigating the plant.
Modern research is now exploring kawakawa's naturally occurring compounds and their biological activity, including their potential influence on inflammation. These investigations offer another perspective on a plant whose significance and traditional applications have long been recognised within mātauranga Māori.
Together, ancestral knowledge and contemporary scientific investigation provide different, valuable ways of understanding kawakawa and its potential applications.
The benefits of a skincare product also depend on its overall formulation. Ingredients such as plant oils, butters and other moisturising agents can work alongside kawakawa extracts to help soften the skin, maintain moisture and support its natural protective barrier.
For those exploring kawakawa skincare, understanding both its traditional significance and its place in contemporary formulations provides a useful foundation for making informed choices.
2.2 Kawakawa and Common Skin Concerns
Kawakawa has a longstanding place in traditional Māori skin care, where its leaves have been prepared and applied for a range of skin complaints. Today, this tradition continues to influence the use of kawakawa in botanical skincare products.
Dry and Rough Skin
Dry skin can become tight, rough and uncomfortable, particularly when exposed to cold weather, wind or frequent washing.
Kawakawa-infused oils, balms and moisturising creams are popular choices for caring for dry skin. When combined with suitable moisturising ingredients, these preparations can help soften rough areas, reduce moisture loss and maintain skin comfort.
Sensitive and Easily Irritated Skin
Kawakawa is traditionally associated with soothing and caring for irritated skin. This has contributed to its popularity among people seeking gentle, naturally inspired skincare.
However, sensitive skin responds differently from person to person. Even botanical ingredients can cause irritation or allergic reactions, so choosing a suitable formulation and introducing new products carefully remains important.
Weather-Exposed and Hardworking Skin
Hands, elbows, knees and feet can experience dryness and roughness through everyday activities, outdoor work and exposure to the elements.
Richer kawakawa-infused preparations, particularly balms and oils, can provide moisturising care for these areas, helping maintain softness and comfort.
Skin Affected by Ongoing Conditions
Kawakawa also has a traditional association with caring for skin affected by complaints such as eczema and other forms of irritation.
People living with ongoing skin conditions may choose kawakawa-based moisturisers as part of their everyday skincare routine. However, these products should be distinguished from treatments intended to manage the underlying medical condition.
The suitability of any product depends on the individual's skin, the ingredients used and the nature of their symptoms. Persistent, worsening or broken skin may require professional medical advice.
Choosing Care That Suits Your Skin
There is no single kawakawa preparation that suits everyone. Some people prefer a light, easily absorbed lotion for everyday moisturising, while others favour a richer balm or oil for particularly dry areas.
Understanding the differences between these preparations can help people choose products that suit their skin and their daily needs.
2.3 Understanding Kawakawa Skincare Products
Kawakawa is used in a variety of skincare preparations, each offering a different experience depending on its ingredients, texture and intended use.
While kawakawa provides the botanical connection, the overall formulation determines how a product feels on the skin, how easily it spreads and how effectively it helps maintain moisture.
Kawakawa Creams and Lotions
Creams and lotions generally combine water and oils to create moisturising formulations that spread easily across the skin.
Lotions are usually lighter in texture, making them convenient for everyday use and application over larger areas of the body.
Creams are generally richer, offering additional moisturising care for skin that needs more nourishment.
Both can be suitable for regular use, depending on individual skin needs and the ingredients used.
Kawakawa Balms
Balms are typically made from oils, waxes and other nourishing ingredients, without the water commonly found in creams and lotions.
Their richer consistency makes them particularly useful for areas prone to dryness, such as hands, elbows, knees and heels.
Balms can help soften the skin and form a protective layer that reduces moisture loss, making them a popular choice for targeted moisturising care.
Kawakawa-Infused Oils
Kawakawa-infused oils are generally prepared by allowing selected plant material to infuse into a suitable carrier oil.
These preparations are often used for massage, body care and moisturising. Their texture allows them to spread easily across the skin, making them particularly suitable for mirimiri and other forms of massage.
The characteristics of the finished oil depend on the carrier oils, the infusion process and any additional ingredients.
Kawakawa-Infused Tallow
Tallow is a traditional animal-derived fat that can be refined and incorporated into skincare preparations.
When combined with kawakawa, it creates a rich, oil-based formulation that can help soften dry skin and reduce moisture loss.
Tallow-based skincare is often favoured by people who prefer a heavier moisturising product, particularly for areas requiring additional protection from dryness.
Choosing the Right Preparation
The choice between a lotion, cream, balm, oil or tallow-based product often comes down to personal preference, skin condition and how the product will be used.
A lighter lotion may suit everyday moisturising, while a richer cream, balm or tallow preparation may be preferred for particularly dry areas. Oils offer another option, especially when massage forms part of a skincare routine.
There is no single formulation that is right for everyone. Understanding the differences allows customers to choose kawakawa skincare that best suits their individual needs.
Learn More About Your Skin
Understanding your skin is an important part of choosing the right skincare. For more detailed information about common skin conditions and concerns, including eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, sensitive skin and dryness, explore our Understanding Your Skin guide.
2.4 Choosing Kawakawa Skincare
When choosing kawakawa skincare, it is worth looking beyond the name of the plant and considering the quality, ingredients and suitability of the finished product.
Not all kawakawa skincare products are made in the same way. Differences in how the plant is sourced, prepared and incorporated into a formulation can influence the characteristics of the finished product.
Understanding the Ingredients
A product described as containing kawakawa will usually include other ingredients that contribute to its moisturising qualities, texture and stability.
Reading the ingredient list can help customers understand what they are applying to their skin, particularly if they have known sensitivities or prefer to avoid certain ingredients.
Knowing Your Skin
Even naturally derived ingredients may not suit everyone. A product that works well for one person may feel uncomfortable or cause irritation for another.
When trying a new skincare product, particularly on sensitive skin, it is sensible to test a small amount on an unaffected area before applying it more widely. If irritation develops, discontinue use.
Quality and Product Information
Clear product information is another important consideration. Customers should be able to understand what a product contains, how it is intended to be used and any precautions associated with its ingredients.
Appropriate formulation, hygienic manufacturing, packaging and storage also contribute to product quality.
Making an Informed Choice
Choosing kawakawa skincare does not need to be complicated. Understanding your skin, checking the ingredients and selecting a product suited to its intended use are useful starting points.
Ultimately, the right choice is one that meets your individual needs and can be comfortably incorporated into your everyday skincare routine.
2.5 Kawakawa Through the Lens of Scientific Research
The traditional knowledge surrounding kawakawa has been carried through generations of Māori experience and practice. In more recent years, scientists have begun investigating the plant's natural compounds and the biological processes that may help explain some of its recognised properties.
This growing interest has led to research at New Zealand universities, including the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Research into Kawakawa and Inflammation
In 2024, researchers associated with the University of Auckland's Liggins Institute published findings from a human study involving 26 healthy participants who consumed kawakawa tea.
The researchers examined changes in biological pathways associated with inflammation. Their findings suggested that kawakawa consumption can influence the activity of certain genes and molecules involved in the body's inflammatory responses.
This was a particularly interesting development because the research examined responses in people rather than relying solely on laboratory investigations of isolated plant compounds.
However, the study examined kawakawa consumed as tea, rather than applied directly to the skin. Its findings therefore offer insight into kawakawa's biological activity without establishing the effects of kawakawa skincare products.
Research at Auckland University of Technology
In 2026, researchers from AUT prepared a scientific review examining kawakawa's traditional uses, natural compounds and reported biological activities.
The review considered research relating to inflammation, antimicrobial activity and other properties associated with compounds found in kawakawa.
It highlighted the plant's chemical diversity and identified opportunities for further investigation, including the need to better understand the effects of complete kawakawa preparations rather than individual compounds alone.
This review brings together existing scientific knowledge; it is not a new clinical trial demonstrating that kawakawa treats particular health or skin conditions.
Understanding Kawakawa Through Different Knowledge Systems
Scientific investigation provides another way of exploring the characteristics of kawakawa, particularly the naturally occurring compounds that contribute to its biological activity.
For Māori, however, the significance of kawakawa is not dependent upon these investigations. Its place in rongoā is grounded in ancestral knowledge, observation, practice and the experiences passed down through generations.
Modern research can broaden our understanding of particular processes within the plant, while mātauranga Māori continues to provide its own foundations for understanding kawakawa and its traditional applications.
Together, these different perspectives contribute to a richer understanding of this remarkable native rākau.
Understanding Your Skin
Explore our guide to understanding your skin, including common skin concerns and how to choose care that suits your individual needs.
3. Kawakawa's Place in the Natural World
Kawakawa's Place in the Natural World
Within the ngahere, kawakawa is part of a living community in which plants, insects, birds, soil and surrounding vegetation are connected through relationships that sustain the natural environment.
While people often recognise kawakawa for its place in traditional healing, the plant has an important ecological role independent of human use. Its leaves provide nourishment for insects, its fruit supports birdlife, and its presence beneath the forest canopy contributes to the diversity of native vegetation.
These relationships reveal another dimension of kawakawa. The plant is not simply something to be gathered or used, but a living species that contributes to the wellbeing and regeneration of the environment around it.
To understand kawakawa more fully, we begin by exploring its relationships with the other living inhabitants of the ngahere.
3.1 A Source of Nourishment for Insects
One of the most recognisable features of kawakawa is the small holes frequently seen in its heart-shaped leaves. These are often made by insects feeding on the foliage, particularly the caterpillars of the kawakawa looper moth (Cleora scriptaria).
For these insects, kawakawa provides an important source of nourishment. Yet the relationship between the plant and its insect visitors is more complex than it first appears.
Kawakawa's Natural Defences
Kawakawa leaves contain naturally occurring compounds that can discourage or harm certain insects. The kawakawa looper caterpillar, however, is particularly well adapted to feeding on the plant despite these chemical defences.
Research has shown that the caterpillar can tolerate and accumulate some of kawakawa's defensive compounds. This helps explain why the looper feeds on kawakawa even though the plant possesses natural insect-deterrent properties.
These protective qualities also have a place in traditional Māori knowledge. Historical accounts describe kawakawa leaves and branches being used in kūmara plantations, where smoke from burning the plant was used to discourage insects that threatened the crops.
Modern scientific research has demonstrated insect-repellent activity in kawakawa leaf extracts. However, whether living kawakawa plants naturally provide similar protection to neighbouring rākau within the ngahere has not been established.
The Significance of Insect-Eaten Leaves in Rongoā
Within some traditions of rongoā Māori, kairongoā prefer kawakawa leaves that have been eaten by insects.
One traditional explanation is that insects may be drawn to leaves possessing desirable qualities, making their feeding patterns a possible guide when selecting leaves for rongoā.
Another explanation considers how the plant responds to insect feeding. Plants can alter their chemical activity when damaged, raising questions about whether this response might influence the properties of insect-eaten kawakawa leaves.
Although these ideas are worthy of investigation, scientific research has not established that insect-eaten kawakawa leaves are more medicinally effective than uneaten leaves.
Traditional knowledge reflects generations of observation and experience, while scientific investigation provides another way of exploring the plant's characteristics and natural processes.
A Relationship Within Te Taiao
The relationship between kawakawa and insects involves nourishment, chemical defence and adaptation. The plant supports insects that depend on it, while its natural compounds influence which insects can successfully feed upon its leaves.
The kawakawa looper also forms part of a wider food web, connecting the plant with other organisms within the ngahere.
What might first appear to be damage to a leaf is therefore evidence of a much more complex relationship between living things.
Through these interactions, kawakawa contributes to the diversity and interconnected life of te taiao.
3.2 Kawakawa and Birdlife
Kawakawa also provides an important source of nourishment for birds within the ngahere, particularly through the fruit produced by female plants.
Unlike the more familiar heart-shaped leaves, kawakawa fruit develops along upright, finger-like spikes made up of many small fruits. As these mature, they change from green through yellowish tones to orange, becoming an attractive food source for birds.
Among the birds known to feed on kawakawa fruit is the kererū, also known as kūkupa or kūkū in different regions of Aotearoa.
The relationship between kawakawa and birdlife extends beyond nourishment.
When birds consume the fruit, they may carry its seeds away from the parent plant before depositing them elsewhere. This process, known as seed dispersal, helps kawakawa establish itself in new locations and contributes to the natural regeneration of forest vegetation.
Birds therefore play an important part in kawakawa's life cycle. The plant provides food, while the birds help distribute the seeds from which future generations of kawakawa may grow.
This relationship also demonstrates why healthy bird populations are important to the wellbeing of our native forests. When birds decline, the natural movement of seeds through the ngahere can be affected, potentially influencing where plants establish and how forests regenerate.
Through its fruit, kawakawa participates in a continuing exchange with the birdlife around it, contributing to the renewal of the ngahere across generations.
3.3 Growing Beneath the Forest Canopy
Kawakawa is commonly found growing beneath the canopy of native forests, where taller trees provide shelter from strong winds, harsh sunlight and frost.
It thrives in coastal and lowland forest environments, particularly where the soil is moist, rich in organic matter and well drained. Although kawakawa can tolerate some exposure to sunlight, it is especially well suited to the filtered light and sheltered conditions of the forest understorey.
The forest canopy creates a distinctive environment for the plants growing beneath it. Sunlight passes through the branches and leaves of taller trees, while fallen foliage gradually decomposes, returning organic material to the soil.
Within this environment, kawakawa grows alongside other native plants, contributing to the layers of vegetation that make up a healthy forest.
Its presence helps provide structure and diversity within the understorey, where smaller plants occupy the spaces beneath the taller trees. These different layers of vegetation create varied growing conditions and habitats throughout the ngahere.
Kawakawa is sensitive to frost, and its preference for shelter helps explain why it is commonly encountered in protected gullies, forest margins and warmer coastal environments.
Understanding these natural growing conditions is also important when considering the cultivation of kawakawa. The plant generally establishes best where its need for shelter, suitable moisture and well-drained soil can be met.
Yet these conditions remind us that kawakawa has its own place and purpose within the ngahere, whether its leaves are ever gathered for rongoā or not.
3.4 Respecting Kawakawa's Place
Kawakawa has a place within the ngahere that exists independently of its importance to people. Its ecological relationships are part of a natural system that has developed over countless generations.
For Māori, recognising this place carries responsibilities. Within the traditions of rongoā rākau, gathering from the natural environment is not simply a matter of taking what is needed. It involves understanding that the plant belongs to a wider community of life and that our actions can affect the wellbeing of that community.
This understanding encourages care when approaching kawakawa in its natural environment. Taking only what is appropriate, avoiding unnecessary damage and allowing plants to continue growing are practical expressions of respect.
The responsibility extends beyond individual plants. Protecting the conditions in which kawakawa grows also means recognising the importance of the surrounding vegetation, soil, waterways and other living inhabitants of the ngahere.
These principles reflect kaitiakitanga, the responsibility to care for and protect the natural world. The wider teachings and practices associated with kaitiakitanga are explored in our dedicated Rongoā Rākau article.
Here, kawakawa offers a particular reminder: our relationship with a plant should begin with understanding its place in the natural world, not simply considering what we may gain from it.
Before kawakawa gives to us, it gives to the ngahere.
4. Understanding the Kawakawa Plant
Understanding the Kawakawa Plant
Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) is an evergreen native shrub or small tree belonging to the pepper family, Piperaceae. It is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most distinctive native plants, recognised for its broad, heart-shaped leaves, aromatic foliage and unusual flowering structures.
Although kawakawa is often recognised by its leaves, other parts of the plant are equally interesting. Its stems and branches have distinctive growth characteristics, while its small flowers and developing fruit reveal how the plant reproduces.
Like many native species, kawakawa's appearance can vary according to its age, growing conditions and surrounding environment.
Understanding these botanical features helps us identify kawakawa more confidently, distinguish it from other plants and appreciate the characteristics that make this rākau unique.
4.1 Recognising Kawakawa
Perhaps the most recognisable feature of kawakawa is its beautiful, heart-shaped leaves.
Usually a rich green, the leaves have prominent veins that spread outward from their base, creating a distinctive pattern across their surface. Younger leaves are often lighter in colour, while mature leaves develop a deeper green appearance.
Kawakawa also has a characteristic peppery fragrance, particularly noticeable when a leaf is gently crushed.
Another distinctive feature is its unusual, jointed stems. Young stems are generally green, sometimes with reddish tones, gradually becoming woody as the plant matures. The branches often grow in a slightly zigzag pattern, with noticeable joints where the leaves emerge.
Kawakawa commonly grows as a spreading shrub, although in favourable conditions it can develop into a small tree reaching several metres in height.
Together, these features make kawakawa one of the easier native plants to recognise in the ngahere.
4.2 The Flowers and Fruit of Kawakawa
Unlike plants with large, colourful blossoms, kawakawa produces tiny flowers arranged along slender, upright spikes that resemble small green fingers.
One particularly interesting characteristic of kawakawa is that male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Both produce flowering spikes, but only female plants develop fruit following successful pollination.
As the fruit matures, the spikes gradually change from green to yellowish-orange, eventually becoming a rich orange colour. Each spike contains many small fruits, each with a seed that can give rise to a new kawakawa plant.
Flowering and fruiting can occur at different times of the year, depending on the climate and growing conditions, with seasonal patterns varying across Aotearoa.
These small, easily overlooked structures reveal another fascinating aspect of kawakawa and the natural processes that allow it to reproduce and flourish.
5. Kawakawa in Māori Tradition and Culture
Kawakawa in Māori Tradition and Culture
For generations, kawakawa has held a special place in Māori life, extending well beyond its use as a traditional healing plant.
Its significance can be found in ancestral kōrero, tikanga and customary practices, where kawakawa carries meanings connected to life, death, remembrance and spiritual wellbeing.
The knowledge and traditions associated with kawakawa are not necessarily the same across all whānau, hapū and iwi. Different communities have preserved their own teachings, shaped by their ancestors, experiences and relationships with the whenua.
Understanding these traditions allows us to appreciate kawakawa not simply as a plant with useful properties, but as a rākau with enduring cultural significance.
5.1 Kawakawa and Our Ancestral Traditions
Within the ancestral traditions passed down through our whānau, kawakawa holds a particularly sacred place.
Our kōrero tells us that kawakawa was the first rākau planted upon the whenua. Unlike the other plants, which were given by Tāne Mahuta, kawakawa was given directly by Io Matua Kore.
According to this tradition, Io Matua Kore imbued kawakawa with the medicinal properties of all the other plants, giving it a special place among the rongoā rākau.
This teaching reflects the significance our ancestors placed upon kawakawa and helps explain why it continues to be regarded with such respect within our whānau.
Other whānau, hapū and iwi may hold different ancestral accounts of kawakawa and its origins. We share this particular kōrero as it has been passed down to us, recognising it as part of the mātauranga inherited from our tūpuna.
For us, kawakawa is therefore more than a familiar native plant or a source of traditional medicine. Its significance is inseparable from the ancestral knowledge that connects our whānau to the whenua and to the generations who came before us.
5.2 Kawakawa in Tikanga and Ceremony
Kawakawa has long held a meaningful place in Māori ceremonial life, particularly during tangihanga, when whānau gather to mourn, remember and farewell loved ones.
One of its most recognisable customary uses is the wearing of kawakawa leaves as a sign of mourning. Within our whānau traditions, these arrangements of leaves are known as taua.
Worn during tangihanga, taua provide a visible expression of grief, remembrance and respect for those who have passed. Within our whānau traditions, taua also represent whānau who are unable to attend the tangihanga, acknowledging their connection to the occasion even when they cannot be physically present.
Their significance extends beyond decoration, connecting those gathered, those who cannot be present, and the traditions carried forward from our tūpuna.
Kawakawa leaves may also be carried or used during ceremonial welcomes and other customary occasions, according to the tikanga of the whānau, hapū or iwi concerned.
Historically, kawakawa has featured in ceremonies associated with important transitions and events, including the opening of houses and the launching of waka. These practices demonstrate that its cultural significance extends beyond traditional healing and mourning.
The particular ways kawakawa is gathered, prepared, worn or used in ceremony are guided by local tikanga. Practices may differ between communities, and the knowledge associated with them deserves to be understood within its own cultural setting.
For our whānau, the continued use of taua at tangihanga is one way that kawakawa remains connected to remembrance, ancestral knowledge and the responsibilities we carry towards those who came before us.
6. Kawakawa in Traditional Rongoā
Kawakawa has long been one of the most treasured rākau within traditional Māori healing, with its leaves and other parts prepared for a variety of purposes.
Across generations, Māori have used kawakawa in preparations intended to care for the body, ease discomfort and support wellbeing. Its traditional applications extend beyond skincare, reflecting the many ways our tūpuna understood and worked with this remarkable plant.
In this section, we explore some of kawakawa's traditional applications and preparations, recognising that the knowledge surrounding their use is broader than any single account.
6.1 Traditional Uses of Kawakawa
The traditional uses of kawakawa reflect the remarkable breadth of knowledge our tūpuna held about this rākau and its place in supporting health and wellbeing.
While kawakawa is perhaps best known today for its association with skin care, historical accounts describe its use for a much wider range of complaints.
Cuts, Wounds and Skin Complaints
Kawakawa leaves and bark were traditionally used in preparations for cuts, wounds, boils, bruises and other skin complaints. These applications contributed to the plant's longstanding reputation as an important rākau for caring for the body.
Toothache and Oral Discomfort
One particularly interesting traditional use involved toothache. Historical accounts describe kawakawa leaves being chewed or prepared as poultices to help ease dental pain and discomfort.
This use demonstrates that our tūpuna recognised applications for kawakawa beyond those associated with the skin.
Stomach and Digestive Complaints
Kawakawa also featured in traditional preparations for stomach pain and digestive discomfort. Historical records describe the use of leaves and bark, including preparations taken internally.
These practices formed part of traditional healing knowledge in which the selection and use of rongoā were guided by experience and understanding of the individual's needs.
Knowledge Beyond Written Records
These examples represent only some of the traditional uses of kawakawa recorded over time.
Written historical accounts do not necessarily capture the full knowledge held by whānau, hapū and kairongoā, nor the particular circumstances in which different preparations were selected.
The practices described here are shared as traditional knowledge and historical applications, rather than instructions for treating medical conditions. Internal preparations, in particular, require appropriate knowledge of plant identification, preparation and safety.
The diversity of these uses helps explain why kawakawa continues to occupy such an important place within rongoā Māori.
6.2 Traditional Preparation of Kawakawa
The preparation of kawakawa has traditionally taken several forms, depending on its intended purpose and the knowledge held by the whānau or kairongoā preparing it.
Infusions and Decoctions
Kawakawa leaves have traditionally been steeped in hot water or gently simmered to extract their properties. These preparations could be used in different ways, including as washes or, where appropriate within traditional practice, taken internally.
Poultices and External Applications
Kawakawa leaves were also prepared for direct application to the body. Depending on the practice, leaves could be softened, warmed or crushed before being applied to the affected area.
Kawakawa-Infused Oils
Infusing kawakawa into oils provides another way of preparing the plant for external use. This approach allows selected properties of the leaves to be incorporated into an oil that can be applied to the skin.
Kawakawa-infused oils remain familiar today, particularly in mirimiri and botanical skincare preparations.
The Importance of Preparation Knowledge
Traditional preparation involves more than combining plant material with water or oil. The selection of suitable leaves, the method of preparation and the intended use have traditionally been guided by knowledge and experience.
Different whānau and kairongoā may hold particular preparation methods that are not widely shared or recorded.
These traditions continue to inform contemporary interest in kawakawa, although modern cosmetic manufacturing also involves formulation, hygiene, preservation and product-quality requirements.
Understanding these different approaches helps us appreciate how kawakawa has been prepared across generations, while recognising that traditional preparations and modern skincare products are not necessarily the same.
7. Growing and Caring for Kawakawa
Kawakawa is a beautiful native rākau that can also be grown in home gardens, providing an opportunity to develop a closer connection with a plant treasured by generations of Māori.
Its distinctive heart-shaped leaves and lush green growth make it an attractive addition to native gardens, particularly in sheltered areas where larger trees provide some protection.
Growing kawakawa is relatively straightforward when the conditions are suitable. With the right location and a little care, it can become an established part of the garden, contributing to the surrounding environment and providing a place for insects and birds to visit.
Whether planted for its natural beauty, its cultural significance or an interest in rongoā Māori, growing kawakawa offers an opportunity to appreciate the living plant beyond its traditional and contemporary uses.
7.1 Choosing the Right Growing Conditions
Kawakawa grows best when its surroundings provide the right balance of shade, moisture and shelter. Choosing a suitable location from the beginning will help the plant establish and flourish.
Sunlight and Shade
Kawakawa generally prefers partial shade or filtered sunlight. Although established plants can tolerate some direct sun, prolonged exposure to strong afternoon sunlight may cause their leaves to wilt or become scorched, particularly during dry weather.
Soil and Drainage
A fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter provides a good foundation for healthy growth. Kawakawa appreciates moisture around its roots but does not thrive in persistently waterlogged ground.
Adding compost and a layer of organic mulch can help maintain soil moisture and improve growing conditions.
Watering and Moisture
Young kawakawa plants benefit from regular watering while their roots become established. Once established, they can tolerate occasional dry periods, although prolonged drought may affect their growth and appearance.
The aim is to keep the soil reasonably moist without allowing it to become saturated.
Shelter and Protection
Kawakawa grows particularly well in locations protected from strong winds and heavy frost. Young plants are more vulnerable to cold temperatures and may benefit from additional protection during their first winters.
A sheltered position beside other native plants, beneath taller trees or near a protected garden boundary can provide suitable conditions.
With the right balance of these elements, kawakawa can become a healthy and attractive feature of a home garden.
7.2 Planting and Establishing Kawakawa
Giving kawakawa a good start is one of the simplest ways to encourage healthy growth. Once a suitable location has been chosen, a little attention during planting and the early months can make a lasting difference.
When to Plant
Autumn and spring are generally good times to plant kawakawa in New Zealand, when temperatures are milder and natural rainfall can help young plants establish. In areas prone to heavy frost, spring planting may be preferable.
Planting Your Kawakawa
Prepare a planting hole approximately twice as wide as the plant's root ball, but no deeper than the original root depth.
Gently remove the plant from its container, loosen any tightly circling roots and position it so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill with soil, firm gently and water thoroughly to help settle the roots.
Caring for Young Plants
During the first growing season, check soil moisture regularly and water when needed, particularly during dry or windy weather.
Keep the immediate planting area free from competing weeds and grasses. A layer of organic mulch can help retain moisture, but leave a small gap around the stem to reduce the risk of rot.
Young plants may also need temporary protection from animals or accidental damage while becoming established.
Encouraging Healthy Growth
As kawakawa establishes, new leaves and stems are encouraging signs of healthy development.
With patience and appropriate care, a young kawakawa can develop into a flourishing rākau that becomes part of the garden for years to come.
7.3 Propagating Kawakawa
Growing new kawakawa plants can be a rewarding experience, whether you are expanding your own garden, sharing plants with whānau or helping restore native vegetation.
Kawakawa can be propagated from both seeds and cuttings, with each method offering a relatively simple way to establish new plants.
Growing Kawakawa from Seed
Kawakawa produces clusters of small fruit that change colour as they ripen. Seeds can be collected from mature fruit on female plants and used to grow the next generation of kawakawa.
Remove the soft fruit pulp and sow the cleaned seeds in a suitable seed-raising mix. Keep them moist, warm and sheltered while they germinate.
Once the seedlings have developed sufficiently, they can be transferred into individual containers and cared for until they are ready for planting.
Growing Kawakawa from Cuttings
Kawakawa can also be grown from stem cuttings taken from a healthy, established plant.
Select a suitable semi-hardwood stem, remove the lower leaves and place the cutting into a free-draining propagation mix. Keep it sheltered, with consistent moisture, while roots develop.
Once a healthy root system has formed and new growth is established, the young plant can be transferred into a larger container or prepared for planting in the garden.
Sharing and Establishing New Plants
When propagating from naturally growing plants, it is important to respect the whenua, obtain permission where required and avoid damaging established vegetation.
Whether grown for a home garden, a marae or a restoration project, each new kawakawa plant contributes to the continuing presence of this remarkable native species.
8. Harvesting Kawakawa Responsibly
Gathering kawakawa is an opportunity to appreciate the relationship between the rākau, the whenua and those who care for it.
Whether collecting leaves from a home garden or from an established stand of kawakawa, it is important to consider the health of the plant and the environment in which it grows.
Responsible harvesting begins with understanding what can be taken, what should be left undisturbed and how to protect the plant for future generations.
Within rongoā Māori, gathering kawakawa may also involve tikanga and practices handed down through whānau, hapū and iwi. These traditions are explored more broadly in our Rongoā Rākau article.
8.1 Selecting and Gathering Kawakawa Leaves
Selecting kawakawa leaves for harvesting requires an understanding of the plant and consideration for its continued health.
Choosing Suitable Leaves
One traditional way of recognising older kawakawa leaves is to look for a distinctive widened, flattened or spoon-shaped area at the base of the leaf stalk, where it joins the stem. This feature is used as a guide when selecting mature leaves for harvesting, allowing younger leaves to continue growing.
Within many rongoā Māori traditions, leaves showing the distinctive holes made by insects are particularly valued. As explored earlier in this article, these leaves hold a special place in traditional knowledge, although their appearance alone does not establish greater medicinal properties.
Leaves showing signs of disease, contamination or significant deterioration should be avoided.
Gathering Leaves Carefully
When harvesting, select leaves from different parts of a healthy, established plant rather than removing large quantities from one area.
Leaves should be removed carefully to avoid tearing branches, damaging new growth or unnecessarily disturbing the plant.
Avoid harvesting from young, struggling or recently damaged plants, allowing them time to establish or recover.
Considering the Harvesting Environment
Before gathering leaves, consider the surroundings. Kawakawa growing beside busy roads, in areas where chemicals have been sprayed or near other sources of contamination may not be suitable for harvesting.
Correct identification of kawakawa is also essential, particularly when gathering plants from unfamiliar locations.
Taking time to observe the rākau before harvesting helps ensure that gathering is thoughtful, selective and respectful of the living plant.
8.2 Protecting Kawakawa for Future Generations
The responsibility of gathering kawakawa extends beyond the immediate harvest. It includes ensuring that the rākau continues to flourish and remains part of the natural environment for future generations.
Taking Only What Is Needed
Harvesting should be guided by genuine need rather than taking more than can be used. Leaving sufficient foliage allows kawakawa to continue growing, supporting insects and contributing to the surrounding environment.
Where kawakawa is scarce or plants are struggling, the most appropriate decision may be to leave them undisturbed.
Respecting the Whenua
Kawakawa growing naturally belongs within a wider environment that deserves care and protection.
Permission should always be obtained before gathering from land belonging to others, and any restrictions governing the collection of native plants must be respected.
Harvesting should never involve unnecessary damage to surrounding vegetation or disturbance of the whenua.
Ensuring Kawakawa Remains for Future Generations
Protecting kawakawa also means considering what we leave behind.
Encouraging natural regeneration, growing new plants and protecting established stands all contribute to the continued presence of this treasured rākau.
When we gather thoughtfully and care for the plants that remain, we help ensure that future generations can continue to experience kawakawa as a living part of their whenua and traditions.
9. From Kawakawa Leaf to Skincare
The journey from a living kawakawa plant to a finished skincare product brings together traditional botanical knowledge and contemporary formulation practices.
Kawakawa has long been valued for its place in rongoā Māori, and today it continues to inspire a growing range of botanical skincare products made here in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Yet creating a skincare product involves more than simply adding kawakawa leaves to a cream, balm or oil. The way the plant is prepared, the ingredients it is combined with and the quality of the finished formulation all contribute to the product people ultimately use.
Understanding this journey helps us appreciate both the kawakawa itself and the care involved in transforming a treasured native rākau into something suitable for everyday skincare.
9.1 From Leaf to Botanical Ingredient
Before kawakawa becomes part of a skincare product, its leaves must first be carefully prepared and processed to obtain the botanical ingredients used in a formulation.
The journey involves several important considerations, from the condition of the harvested leaves to the method used to extract their naturally occurring compounds.
Preparing the Leaves
Freshly harvested kawakawa leaves are inspected to remove unwanted material and identify any signs of damage, deterioration or contamination.
Depending on the intended extraction method, the leaves may be used fresh or dried before further processing.
Careful handling and preparation help maintain the quality of the plant material as it moves towards the next stage.
Infusions and Botanical Extracts
One familiar approach involves infusing kawakawa leaves in a suitable carrier oil, allowing oil-soluble compounds from the plant to become part of the resulting infusion.
Other methods use water or specialised extraction processes to obtain different botanical constituents.
The choice of method influences which compounds are extracted and the type of ingredient produced. This means that not all kawakawa extracts are necessarily the same.
From Extract to Ingredient
Once prepared, the resulting kawakawa infusion or extract can be incorporated into a skincare formulation.
The quality and suitability of the botanical ingredient depend on factors such as the original plant material, processing conditions, handling and storage.
Understanding these steps helps explain why the journey from kawakawa leaf to finished skincare involves both respect for the rākau and careful attention to product quality.
9.2 Formulating Kawakawa Skincare
Creating a kawakawa skincare product involves bringing together carefully selected ingredients to produce a formulation that is suitable, effective for its intended cosmetic purpose and pleasant to use.
While kawakawa provides the botanical inspiration, the supporting ingredients and the way they work together are equally important to the finished product.
Choosing Complementary Ingredients
Kawakawa may be combined with plant oils, natural butters, waxes and other ingredients, depending on the type of skincare product being created.
Each ingredient has a purpose. Some help moisturise and soften the skin, while others contribute to the product's texture, consistency or ability to spread comfortably.
The aim is to create a balanced formulation in which the ingredients complement one another.
Creating the Right Texture and Experience
A lotion, crème, balm and oil each have different characteristics, requiring different approaches to formulation.
The proportions and properties of their ingredients influence how a product feels, spreads and absorbs when applied to the skin.
A well-considered formulation should be practical and enjoyable to use, encouraging skincare to become a comfortable part of everyday life.
Product Stability and Quality
A finished skincare product must also maintain its quality throughout its intended shelf life.
Depending on the formulation, this involves considerations such as ingredient compatibility, microbial contamination, preservation, packaging and storage.
Appropriate quality controls and testing help ensure that products remain suitable for their intended use.
The Finished Product
The journey from kawakawa leaf to finished skincare brings together the qualities of the plant and the knowledge involved in developing a contemporary cosmetic formulation.
Understanding this helps consumers appreciate that the quality of a skincare product depends not only on the botanical ingredients it contains, but also on the care taken in creating the finished formulation.
10. Our Connection to Kawakawa
For Natures Therapeutics, kawakawa represents more than a botanical ingredient. It connects the skincare products we create with the rākau, the whenua and the knowledge handed down through generations.
Through our kawakawa-inspired products, we seek to share something of this treasured rākau with whānau across Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
For us, the story of kawakawa is not simply about what the plant can provide. It is also about remembering where it comes from, respecting the knowledge associated with it and recognising the responsibility of carrying that connection forward.