Our Story
L-R: Brendon McIntosh, Aleshia Johnson , Brad Lake
Being Pharmacists and lovers of our whenua (our land), we have always searched for natural solutions to common conditions.
Hemp seed oil is well researched with multiple studies showing its benefits as a topical anti-inflammatory agent. It is a humectant so keeps absorbing moisture throughout the day, has a comedogenic rating of zero so won’t block pores and it is high in healthy omega fatty acids, antioxidants, as well as vitamins C, D, E and other minerals.
Learn more about hemp seed oil benefits here.
Inflammatory skin conditions are a common presentation in community pharmacy. Knowing the properties of hemp seed oil, led us to develop topical products to support whānau with these conditions. We first trialled these products at Cashel Pharmacy back in 2018, and the results stunned us.
We saw drastic improvements from people who had suffered for years attempting to treat their skin conditions with steroid and antibiotic creams.
Many cosmetic products are toxic to our health and harmful to our environment. We need effective options that we can trust. Kōaka is developed by New Zealand Pharmacists, using nature's most phytonutrient dense and environmentally regenerative plant, hemp.
This is why Kōaka uses organic, New Zealand-grown hemp as the base of our skincare.
Our Mission
Kōaka is on a mission to make nature the source of all healing.
We grow the world’s most phytonutrient rich and regenerative plant, hemp, to heal our skin and our planet.
Through using natural ingredients that Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) and Ranginui (Sky Father) provide, we are capable of healing in the most natural way.
Kōaka is loosely translated as simply meaning 'hemp' in Te Reo Māori, a national language of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Hemp is a plant of strength and toughness, but it offers so much more.
Hemp seed oil is packed full of active botanicals, antioxidants and omega fatty acids, which provide amazing properties for our health.
