The ŌKU Story
Aotearoa (New Zealand), has a wealth of native plants that have a rich history of traditional use where they were used in many different ways to help maintain or support ora (wellbeing). ŌKU was formed by Scott & Helen out of the desire to harness many of these plants into a product range that can help people rediscover and experience the amazing properties held within our ngahere (forests).
ŌKU’s unique formulas were primarily developed by Scott Smith who is a Medical Herbalist and Naturopath who has been working in the natural healthcare industry both as a Clinician and in product development for almost 20 years.
Together with his wife Helen Paul-Smith of Tapuika & Ngai Te Rangi descent they have run ŌKU as a family business since 2010.
At ŌKU they are conscious of Maori Tikanga, ‘doing things the right way’, and this helps guide their decision-making processes. They promote the growing and sustainability of NZ native plants and as they continue to grow are committed to contributing to land restoration and planting projects of the native flora and fauna.
As a result of this philosophy, ŌKU donates a portion of the profits of every product sold to trusts specifically set up for this purpose as well as their own many planting/restoration projects where they have themselves planted 1,000’s of natives since beginning this hīkoi (journey, walk).
As ŌKU continues to grow Scott & Helen are both fully committed to continue this work and see more whenua (land) restored back into our incredible native forests.
Our Kaupapa (Purpose)
To help promote the importance of the healing properties of NZ Native plants and to help people discover the stories they have to share and tell.
The importance of making every effort to reduce our footprint on the whenua (land).
The importance of creating a circular economy within the business that ensures the business is a good kaitiaki (custodian) and returns appropriately to the whenua.
Why the name ŌKU?
In Te Reo ŌKU is a possessive noun meaning 'of mine, belonging to me'. We use it as a way to describe the taonga (treasure) of the ngahere (forests) and the plants that grow there belonging as a collective possession to the people who live on this whenua (land). So many of these plants have such wonderful healing properties that offer many benefits for all of us when we use them with respect, knowledge and in a sustainable way.
When we first started developing ŌKU we looked at how little the rākau were being used in commercial products. Almost all products without exception were using herbs that were not native to this whenua. There was this rich traditional medicinal use of them in Maoridom and this inspired us to introduce our first products way back in 2010, simply as a way to help expose more people to these incredible plants. This way they could see firsthand why we should be treating them as a wonderful resource. In a way the name was chosen for us :)
Note on ŌKU Charitable Contributions
When ŌKU first began in 2010 we always had a vision of raising the profile and awareness of the value of NZ Native Herbs. Identifying them as a taonga (treasure) for all of the people of New Zealand. As a result, we wanted to play an active role in helping to preserve and restore the land with our indigenous flora.
Since 2016 ŌKU has made a commitment to actively give back $0.15 for every ŌKU product sold to various trusts we support which are active in restoring and protecting our precious ngahere as well as contributing to ŌKU’s own planting projects we are actively involved in.
As we continue to grow we are absolutely committed to continue supporting these endeavours as being something we both feel passionate about and see as important in making the harvesting of these plants a sustainable project.
Our Awards
“The plants that heal the land heal the people. ”
— Rob McGowan Rongoa Practitioner