Teina Malone creates beautiful, sustainable, handcrafted hair and skin care products which incorporate the goodness of Aotearoa’s native rākau. Still Milly began with Teina’s desire to reduce plastic products and chemicals within her family home. Enriched with her knowledge of Tikanga-Rongoā, her ambition has led her to combine two of her passions: spending time in nature and creating natural and sustainable products.
What do you make?
I make a range of natural and sustainable body and hair care products, all of which incorporate native rākau (plants) harvested in accordance with Tikanga Māori.
How did you get into your craft?
A few months after the first lockdown in 2020 I took some time out from my career as an Environmental Planner to focus on my family. During this time, I decided to make changes within our home to reduce or ideally remove plastic and chemicals. It was difficult to find quality natural and eco-friendly products that we could use for the whole family and so I began researching how to make my own. Once I made a few products that I was happy with, I began gifting them to family and friends and received some really good feedback. When I began to receive requests to purchase products, I decided that I would go one step further and look to make a business out of it.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
In 2022 I studied Rongoā (Māori healing) through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa which is where I learnt how to make hinu (infused oil) and pani (balm). While I had been creating products prior to this, the knowledge I gained through this study inspired me to incorporate native rākau into my products and I changed my processes to align with Te Ao Māori. I now follow the Maramataka in terms of the lunar phases and ensure harvesting and creating is done so in accordance with Tikanga Māori.
There are a lot of beautiful native plants out there with amazing healing benefits and I know there is so much more to learn. This will be a lifelong learning journey for me.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I love to work with native rākau and experiment with infusing different oils and making hydrosols. Making soap with different oil infusions is a lot of fun. My favourite to date is Raurēkau soap. When you mix the lye and oils together, they turn purple but overnight the soap changes to a beautiful pink colour.
When I am using a newly infused oil, I never know how it is going to turn out until I give it a go. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised when I create new infusions and they turn out really well, but I have also learnt to be prepared for the times when things don’t turn out how I had envisioned. It is all part of the process.
Tell us about some of the techniques involved in producing one of your products
Making hydrosol is a process which for me involves much planning. Firstly, harvesting the rākau is a process in itself. This is partially because we harvest this from ancestral land in Tahāroa, Waikato but also because I follow the Maramataka and so I ensure the time of harvesting is suitable. As I follow Tikanga Māori, timing for harvest can be affected by other factors. For instance, even if it’s a good day under the Maramataka if it’s raining that’s no good for harvesting. Planning is key.
Once I have harvested my fresh rākau I sterilise all my equipment, bottles and workspace. I use an Alembic copper still which is antibacterial and allows me to create hydrosol without the need for preservatives. This is a small 10L still and so I only produce hydrosol in small batches.
I use the hydro-distillation method which is a slower and cooler method. This ensures all the goodness of the plant is contained within the hydrosol as I don’t separate out the essential oils. When the still is running I make sure to carefully monitor the pH level. If this changes it means that the plant matter is drained and it is time to stop the distillation.
Once I have finished distillation, I return the discarded plant material to the garden while saying karakia.
It actually does sound like quite the process – it is just lucky that I am a patient person!
What inspires you?
Being in nature always inspires me. I look at things differently now, compared to not so long ago where I would go running in the ngahere, not paying attention to what was around me. These days it is more of a stroll with lots of stops to check out the rākau. I notice how they change throughout the seasons, and given I use native plants in all of my products, I often get ideas while walking our dog.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
For me, kaitiakitanga and taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint is very important. All of my products are made with this in mind, from the ingredients to the packaging. With every product sold, $1 goes towards planting of native trees. All of my products incorporate native rākau and I believe it is important to give back, to plant for the next generation.
My philosophy is also about manaakitanga. Looking after one another and also taking the time to look after ourselves. Everyone is so busy these days and I want to create quality, handcrafted, thoughtful products that people can use for themselves or give as gifts. I make gift boxes for those busy people out there who want to give a thoughtful gift to loved ones but have little time to put something together. From harvesting the rākau to the making of the products themselves, many hours of work and a lot of aroha is put into each of these gift boxes.
What has been a highlight of your maker journey so far?
The learning journey itself has been the highlight for me. There is so much I am yet to discover about the beautiful native rākau of New Zealand, but when I think back to where I was in 2020, I have learnt so much since then. As I am learning for myself about something I am passionate about I find it easier to learn and retain information. My work is also very hands on and when I am outside harvesting, I get to know the plants well, know how to identify them, harvest and process them before finally incorporating them into my products. It is quite different to learning solely from books.
Describe your creative process:
The creative process always begins with wanting to meet a need of either myself, a family member or friend. For example, I decided to make body butter as I have sensitive skin and psoriasis and I wanted something that is natural and good for my skin but that also feels like a real treat. I think people with sensitive skin often get a raw deal with using products that may function well but are scent free and don’t feel particularly special. My Kawakawa & Cocoa Butter body butter is completely natural and scented only by cocoa butter. I also have a Kawakawa & Mango body butter which is scented with 100% natural fragrance oil. Both are packed full of kawakawa hinu which is so good for your skin and body.
My own research and rongoā studies enable me to ensure the products I am creating will function as they should. All ingredients included have at least one or often two functions. Some of my products include essential oils, which not only add to the product by providing the scent but when used appropriately can also assist with certain conditions. I also use natural colours and the same goes for these. Infused oils or clays can provide a beautiful colour but these also have a dual purpose. Hinu or infused oils in particular can be very healing. I always have to ensure that any products created not only look pretty but do the job that I need them to do. As you can imagine, a lot of thought and planning goes into each product.
Describe your workspace:
My workspace is wide and extends from my home to the ngahere. We are lucky enough to have a large area of native bush at the back of our property which is where I currently harvest my kawakawa. I mostly harvest in Taranaki although the mānuka I use for my hydrosol comes from Waikato. My workspace at home includes my kitchen, dining area, computer nook and storage space where all my oils and products are stored.
Five words that describe your mind:
Busy, creative, positive, disorderly, spontaneous.
Your favourite feedback from a customer:
“Your shampoo bar is the only thing that will tame my ‘fro!” Haha I love that!
What are you currently listening to?
A Taranaki based band called Broke who have a new song out named ‘Urgency’ which has a nice summer-y vibe to it. I have also not long ago discovered the Teskey Brothers and have added a lot of their songs to my playlist.
What are you reading now?
A book called “If I could tell you just one thing” which is full of advice from inspirational people all over the world.
A favourite quote:
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson.
Tell us about your pets:
We have a border collie called Tippy and two cats, a mother and a son, named Molly and Pluto. Our border collie was hit by a car a few years ago and had to re-learn how to walk after surgery. You wouldn’t know it now from the way she chases seagulls at the beach! I take her on a bush walk every morning and she is great company.
What would your advice be for those starting out in a crafty business?
Just do more of what you love! And don’t be scared to make mistakes because that is when you usually learn the most.
Why do you think it’s important to buy handmade and/or locally made goods?
It is so important to support our local craftspeople so they can continue with their work and purchasers can have the option of buying locally and reducing their environmental footprint.
What does it mean to you when someone buys your creations?
So much! I know that there are a lot of options out there and so I will always appreciate it when someone chooses to purchase one of my creations.
What was the last handmade item you bought and what attracted you to it?
I bought a beautiful painting from my very talented friend. I actually went to look at a painting for someone else and didn’t plan to buy anything for myself but it just drew me in. It has a lot of depth and I just love it. There is an energy you get with handcrafted gifts that you don’t get from items manufactured in a factory. I believe it is the mauri or the life force that is passed through from the maker to the creation.
What’s your favourite item in your shop right now?
That’s a tough one! I would say my mānuka hydrosol. This is made with mānuka harvested from my turangawaewae in Tahāroa so it is particularly special to me. It is antibacterial and anti-fungal so is very versatile and particularly good for oily skin. I use this as a toner or a refreshing spritz. It is great for getting that last bit of make up off your face.
What’s in store for 2023?
I have a lot of new products in progress so definitely more creating and expanding of my Felt shop. I am also wanting to create more of a presence locally and will be at the seaside markets at Ngāmotu Beach, New Plymouth for the first time on 5 February so I am really looking forward to that. It will be really nice to get out there and chat to people about what I make.
Special offer for Felt readers!
Teina has generously offered Felt readers 10% off any of the gorgeous handcrafted hair and skin care products in her Felt shop, when you enter the voucher code FEB2023MTM in the voucher code field at checkout. This offer is valid throughout the month of February 2023. Thank you so much Teina!
