The Founder behind the brand

Ko Rawinia Te Urikore Rimene toku ingoa

He uri nō Te Whakatohea, Ngāti Kahungungu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Raukawa me Rangitane ahau

Ko Omarumutu raua ko Te Ore Ore ngā marae 

Ko Waiaua te awa ko Wairarapa te Moana 

Ko Mataatua te waka 

Ko Ngāti Rua te hapu 

Ko Muriwai te tapairu 

Nō Ōpōtiki ahau 

E noho ana au ki Te Whanganui a Tara 

Ko au te Kaiwhakahaere o Girl Native 

Growing up in the small country town of Ōpōtiki, I found my sense of belonging on my tūrangawaewae, our whānau land in Omarumutu. 

On our return after travelling away, I knew we were home when we were driving under the arched pōhutukawa trees that lined Waiotahe Beach. 

In the summertime, the vibrant Pohutukawa flowers blossomed filling the air with a sweet fragrance, merged with the scent of driftwood and the salty sea spray that kissed my skin as I played on the beach. Surrounded by nature’s beauty, I was forever intrigued by its wonders.

My grandparents devoted themselves to our tūrangawaewae, Ruarakai, our whānau land, nestled between the beautiful beach and the lush bush at the foot of our maunga Makeo.

Our whenua was abundant in Natures offerings - right in our own backyard, we would often hear “This is a million dollar view”.

The rhythmic crashing of ocean waves became a soothing backdrop, and the songs of the manu composed the sweetest of melodies. 

My siblings and I were often pushed outdoors, where nature became our playground. Under my Nanny's guidance, I learned to plant native trees, each one accompanied by stories of its unique properties and the roles they played in Rongoā. 

I was captivated by the heart-shaped leaves of Kawakawa at the entrance to our bush trail, where we crafted huts and at times made swings  from branches of old rakau that had stood tall for generations. In the bush, I found profound peace and stillness that ignited my imagination. By the sea, I discovered calmness, relief, and tranquility that settled my most intense emotions. Even today, I seek solace within the ngahere and sit embraced by the beauty of Tangaroa, the god of the sea.

At 13, my grandmother made the decision to move me to Wellington for better opportunities—a change that shifted my world. I quickly realised that the city and my holidays there were two entirely different experiences. 

The fast pace replaced the serenity I had known; bustling streets and constant chatter drowned out the sweet melodies of native birds. I began to notice how easy it was to lose oneself in this environment devoid of authenticity. 

Fake was the norm, and I grappled with feeling alone amidst the chaos.

As a teenager, this triggered some insecurities and I often found myself longing for the feeling of sand beneath my feet and the fresh air that surrounded me back home. I eventually lost my way, searching for comfort in an unfamiliar world.

At 18, I became pregnant and, returned home. I discovered that while I had changed, so too had my surroundings. Craving the peace of nature and a mindful lifestyle, I began to learn more about Rongoā Māori with my Māori midwife, Lisa Kelly. Attending wananga at Torere Marae reignited my creativity and curiosity to experiment further. I embraced slow living once again, wandering through the ngahere and sitting by the moana. This was life at its purest.

However, after a year, I felt restless again. I loved the tranquility, but couldn’t shake the urge for the opportunities back in the city. This tension became the catalyst for my vision: Girl Native. I realised I wanted to merge the dynamics of city life with the elements of nature I cherished from home. I began creating ways to infuse mindfulness practices into my daily routine, embracing the wisdom of Rongoā and Te Ao Māori in purposeful living. 

Learning to slow down, become less distracted by external noise, write and do what I love most - create with purpose. 

Every time I went back home, it allowed me to rest, relax and recharge much like a retreat. 

I wanted to create a way to bring that with me no matter where I go in the world, to serve as a reminder to “live on purpose”.

After the birth of my first daughter - Peyton-Maree, we faced a challenging moment: she suffered from skin issues and rashes that conventional products couldn’t heal. It was in this urgency that I turned to the knowledge of Rongoā that I had cultivated over the years and merged my formulations with Reiki Healing. Living in Tītahi Bay, Porirua I began to craft ethical, effective skincare products using the gentle, healing ingredients derived from Rongoā Māori and Wairuatanga for her and for myself - and it worked.

The relief I felt the moment I realised Peyton’s skin was clearing up day by day was enough confirmation for me to continue on my formulation journey. 

I found that alot of the skincare and makeup products I was using for myself and my tamariki had toxic ingredients and as part of a mindful and purposeful  lifestyle I wanted to commit to a sustainable lifestyle too. This prompted me to create more sustainable products. 

For me personally, Connecting with papatūānuku brought me closer to who I am and deepened my connection to nature, a sense of belonging and a “Journey back to myself”. 

And that’s when Girl Native was born—a luxurious ethical skincare brand infused with healing and purpose, the knowledge of my tipuna - Ancestors, and the beauty of our natural world, each product is a retreat in a jar, a way to reconnect with the peace and tranquility of my upbringing while fostering a slow beauty mindset. 

Through Girl Native, I invite others to embrace the richness of nature, to live purposefully and consciously, and to reflect on the beauty that lies within you. 

“Girl Native is more than just a skincare brand; it is a lifestyle, A conscious decision to live on purpose, to rediscover your connection to nature and to lead you on a journey back to yourself”.