PLANET
OUR STORY
Katoa in Te Reo Maori translates to All, Whole, Complete, Everyone.
The story of Katoa Botanicals is a story of the symbiotic relationship between people and planet. An ardent passion for mother nature. This is a brand with a pure philosophy: science-backed skin formulations and effortless routines that are kind to your skin and the environment.
Katoa Botanicals formulations are based on lab advanced Bio Ferments and powered by Plant Cell science. Harnessing the best of nature and intensifying it. The result is everyday skincare that is responsibly crafted and fashioned to have maximum impact on skin and minimum impact on the planet.
Katoa Botanical’s truly circular skincare uses plant intelligence to work on a cellular level. The synergy of multiple botanical matrixes in the formulation wakes up skin’s inner glow, supporting the Biome and improving overall skin health. Kindly caressing and nourishing skin with natural components, augmented by science to its optimum state. Each ingredient has been meticulously researched to play a specific role in the formulation and is there for a particular reason. The power of plants is at the heart of Katoa Botanicals.
Penny
Penny is the inspiring founder of Katoa Botanicals. A descendant of Māori - whose culture has a deep spiritual and physical connection to the earth. Her upbringing on a farm in New Zealand taught her the fundamental importance of Kaitiakitanga – The process and practice of looking after the environment, the Sea, the Sky, the Land.
Growing up, she lived symbiotically with nature on a 750 acre farm. It was a space for imagination, innovation and inspiration. And also harvesting and foraging; providing and sharing.
During the last 28 years Penny has worked as an international hair and make-up artist; developing an intense desire to learn and educate. Along with the art of make-up she has grown to harbour an instinctive and intuitive knowledge of what makes healthy, perfected skin.
The Whanau
Penny’s mother is an organic skincare pioneer. She qualified as a Naturopath and Herbal Medicine practitioner and in 1998 created one of New Zealand’s first certified organic skin and healthcare products ‘Regenerate’.
Penny spent three years working with her mother and Regenerate, growing 75% of the raw plant material themselves. The rituals of growing, harvesting, distilling and turning raw plant materials into ingredients that could be formulated into skincare products filled their days.
She learned prodigious amounts of knowledge about the importance of native plants and medicinal herbs and the healing daily practices which are shared by cultures across the globe.
Her sister Claire, has practiced Permaculture since 2012. A sustainable approach to earth care, people care and fair share.
The family now re-wilds an over farmed section of land, creating a biodiverse ecosystem with Native New Zealand plants. This precious, sustainable place now attracts a wealth of wildlife and sanctuary for numerous species.