PLANET
OUR STORY
Katoa in Te Reo Maori translates to All, Whole, Complete, Everyone.
Our story is rooted in a deep reverence for the planet — and a belief that truly sustainable skincare should be as intelligent as it is responsible.
Blending the wisdom of nature with the precision of science, we create biotech-powered skincare designed to support both your skin’s biome and the Earth’s ecosystems. Our formulations harness advanced bio-ferments and patented plant cell complexes to deliver visible, lasting results.
Each product is crafted with purpose: to activate your skin’s natural glow, strengthen its barrier, and nourish it to its healthiest state.
Katoa Botanicals is more than skincare. It’s a movement toward balance — between people and planet.
Penny
Penny is the inspiring founder of Katoa Botanicals — a proud descendant of Māori heritage, whose culture holds a deep spiritual and physical connection to the Earth.
Raised on a 750-acre farm in New Zealand, Penny grew up living symbiotically with nature. It was a space of imagination and inspiration, where foraging, harvesting, providing and sharing were part of daily life. Her upbringing instilled in her the principle of Kaitiakitanga — the Māori practice of guardianship over the environment: the land, the sea, and the sky.
Over the past 28 years, Penny has worked as a hair and makeup artist, cultivating a curiosity for skin health, natural beauty, and education. Her understanding of skin and her deep respect for nature have become the foundation of Katoa Botanicals.
The Whanau
Penny’s mother is an organic skincare pioneer. A qualified Naturopath and Herbal Medicine practitioner, she created one of New Zealand’s first certified organic skin and healthcare brands, Regenerate, in 1998.
Penny spent three years working alongside her mother at Regenerate, where they grew over 75% of their raw plant materials themselves. Their days were filled with the rituals of growing, harvesting, distilling, and transforming raw botanicals into active skincare ingredients.
Through this experience, Penny gained a wealth of knowledge about the power of native plants, medicinal herbs, and the healing daily practices shared by cultures around the world.
Penny’s sister has practiced permaculture since 2012—a sustainable approach focused on earth care, people care, and fair share.
The family now re-wilds an over-farmed section of land, creating a biodiverse ecosystem rich with native New Zealand plants. This precious sanctuary attracts a wealth of wildlife, restoring balance and nurturing numerous species.