MEA is a natural perfume oil crafted in New Zealand (NZ) with sustainably hand-harvested Taramea.
It is a sacred treasure species traditionally worn by Māori ancestors and blended with the highest quality fragrance ingredients.
Together they weave a thread in the story of an innovative and resourceful people – Ngāi Tahu.
WHO ARE WE? KO WAI MĀTOU
MEA is brought to you by Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki with the support of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. We aim to revive and share the Ngāi Tahu cultural practice of perfume making with the world, telling the story of our long and special relationship with Taramea.
DARK SKIES NATURAL PERFUME OIL
Representing starlit nights, Dark Skies carries notes of Ylang Ylang, clove, bergamot, apricot and sweet vanilla mixed with the traditional Taramea plant.
TARAMEA & WATER NATURAL PERFUME OIL
Take a moment in the glacier waters of New Zealand and surround yourself with fresh, crisp air. Taramea & Water carries notes of fresh cyclamen, rosewood, mint and vetyver.
TARAMEA & HERB NATURAL PERFUME OIL
Freshly cut grass with hints of citrus in the air like a young Taramea plant. Taramea & Herb carries notes of fig flower, cedar and hawthorn.
TARAMEA & WOOD NATURAL PERFUME OIL
Surround yourself with hints of the forest. Taramea & Wood carries notes of patchouli, vanilla and earthy sandalwood.
Keeping our Māori culture alive is why we created these fragrances…
Ngāi Tahu has had a long and special relationship with Taramea (Aciphylla aurea). This is recognised through its listing as a taonga species in the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.
Taku hei piripiri
Takuhei mokimoki
Takuhei tāwhiri
Takukati taramea
Adorned with richly perfumed moss,
Festooned with sweet smelling fern,
Embellished with aromatic sap,
My fragrant locket of evocative piercingTaramea
THE PROCESS
Traditionally Taramea leaves were gathered, plaited and the base of each plait was singed over embers until the heat forced the gum to the top, where it was collected. The gum was then mixed with animal fat, such as refined pigeon or muttonbird oil. Fragrant sachets took their names from the materials composing them.
For example, hei raukawa, hei piripiri, hei tawhiri, hei mapuna, hei mokimoki, kati taramea, pona tarata, etc. Perfumed oil produced in this way was highly valued and was used for barter for food and greenstone, and as koha between rangatira. After more than three years of research, Kati Huirapa Runanga and TRONT developed four fragrances from Taramea.
This is a pilot project and depending on its success we aim to develop a sustainable business to reinvigorate and share the Ngāi Tahu cultural practice of perfume-making with the world while retaining cultural authenticity for Ngāi Tahu. See the sustainable hand-harvesting of Taramea here: https://www.facebook.com/meafragrance/videos/323939652675647
MEA at GUILD for Matariki
MEA’s Dark Skies fragrance is inspired by Matariki, Māori new year.
A MEA fragrance oil is the perfect gift to yourself or a loved one and every fragrance purchased means you join in reviving a treasured Ngāi Tahu tradition.
We celebrate Dark Skies and Matariki with a one month pop-up at GUILD, a concept design store that celebrates and empowers designers and makers in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
Celebrate Matariki by joining in the revival of a beautiful Ngāi Tahu tradition.
For further information contact:
Dallas Synnott
dallas.synnott@gmail.com
02102310617
Website: https://meafragrance.co.nz/
Facebook: MEA New Zealand Natural Fragrance
Instagram: @meafragrance