The First Seasonal Collection - Summer
Growing up in the Bay of Plenty meant summer at the beach every day. Fish and Chips from Koro Clems at the monument. Spending the afternoons swimming with my brother at the diving board while our Koro took his afternoon nap and our Kui sat eating her never-ending watermelon.
Our beautiful red doris plum tree - the oldest tree in the whole wide world - towered over our tiny two-bedroom homestead in Maketu. Our sweet pumpkin peach trees carefully grown alongside our section long, open drain, with a crusty old bridge that fell apart with every step we took.
Holidays in Arataki and waking up to that fresh sea breeze was something else. Removing the wheels from my cousins' skateboards with the tools we'd steal from our Papa's shed. Walking to Bayfair to buy candle wax so the boards would slide faster down the sand dunes. Swimming for endless hours then being greeted by my Nana's freshly baked biscuits on Crane Street every afternoon.
Summer from Maketu to Mauao as a child in the 90's - memories that last a lifetime!
Of course, over the years summer’s changed somewhat. The constant cues in the supermarkets. The Tauranga traffic and the lack of parking in the CBD - the place we ate and shopped for so many years turned into nothing more than a construction site.
The reliance on Wi-Fi and iPhones. The introduction of 'zooms' and the need to answer every message and call cause it's the norm. The constant struggle to get my kids off devices to embrace the beauty of nature in Aotearoa...a lot has changed.
But some things never change.
Summer in New Zealand always brings about the feeling that Christmas is upon us. Christmas now and forevermore - my most favourite time of year!
The one day of the year where families come together, and technology is pushed to the side. The one day stores close down and the traffic comes to a halt. The one day that everyone strives to give rather than receive. The one day time seemingly stands still in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Our very first seasonal collection following our launch are awe inspired by my most fond memories and lifelong belief!
Inspired by the gifts given to baby Jesus upon arrival…
Frankincense and myrrh have been a common combination since ancient times and the medicinal properties they contribute are exceptional… it's no wonder they've been used since forever! The tinge of yellow swirled through the soap was created with calendula infused olive oil. It was included due to the wonderfully healing capabilities is possesses.
(This soap is also featured in our 2024 Christmas Collection)
With a fruity inspired blend, this soap portrays the natural beauty that surrounded my homestead in Maketu and the old batch across the road where my mum was raised...the honey suckles we'd pass going up the track to Te Awhe and the endless supplies of fruit we took for granted…such priceless moments and memories in the place we were brought up to know as home.
The bluest soap in our entire collection with a sea inspired blend of essential oils and a kumarahou base. It's a reflection of my grandparents; the memories I have of them and the values they raised me with.
In tribute of their Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui lineage - I created Tauranga Moana.
