"I’m often asked how I began Living Nature, so for those of you who are interested, here it is........ Living Nature began on a day back in 1987 when I knew I needed to find something with direction and that I felt driven about. Having studied analytical chemistry (by mistake), art history, art, various natural therapies to various degrees, I knew several things: · I wanted to do something that was honorable trading (needing to feed my family) · That highlighted the importance of keeping New Zealand unpolluted · That involved New Zealand native plants · That was involved in health and the well being of people · It had to be environmentally sound and not include the use, exploitation or abuse of animals, people or the environment. · I also needed to be able to work from home. It needed to not be dependent on the weather or the local economy. From these seeds the idea of Living Nature was born, firstly to produce medicines, and then after studying further the human organism, I realised how important the skin is to our health and how it reflects internal health. I then realised not only did I feel passionate and inspired by the idea of skin care, but instinctively knew how it worked and that there really was not many products or people that dealt with it holistically. I wanted to make creams that had wonderful textures and worked, not greasy balms that most people didn’t like using on their skin. My own history of severe acne, both on my face and back, made me decide to work with the condition of acne first. I did not like using oily creams, and began making gels that cooled, soothed and did not clog the skin. Our New Zealand native plant Harakeke (Flax, but different to the Linseed flax Linus) has a great gel that while a bit tricky to extract forms a great base for other active skin care ingredients. Because I didn’t realise that plant-based preservatives hadn’t been invented yet, I didn’t realise it was such a difficult thing to achieve, and set about finding health giving ingredients that also prevented moulds and fungi forming. I was delighted that the first gel made from Harakeke, Manuka honey and Manuka essential oil worked so well for my acne condition. And so Living Nature began … Living Nature Today It seems only yesterday that the Living Nature project began but it is now 14 years later. As I see my first son grow taller than me and into a young man, Living Nature has grown into a more mature business. We've been through many mistakes, bad decisions, good decisions, lots of luck and support from friends, customers and other business people. Living Nature are still situated in Kerikeri, New Zealand, and supply customers in many parts of the globe. Living Nature are a team of over 60 people are really enthusiastic about promoting New Zealand and providing wholesome skincare for the rest of the planet. You'll be able to see on the Living Nature site the full range of products that are available to you. Living Nature are working with various groups to grow more plants and much of our time is spent trying to convince our government to protect our unique position here in NZ by promoting an organic and GE-free environment.
Living Nature Tomorrow Living Nature are always bringing out new products and Living Nature have several that will be launched over the next year... Living Nature will hugely be focusing on awareness of GE-free ingredients, and more medicinal ingredients from our New Zealand shores. Why Made in New Zealand? New Zealand is very isolated and there are many areas that have never been sprayed or contaminated with pollutants. Many of the plants are unusual and have evolved differently to other countries which have prolific mammals. Seventy percent of Living Nature products are derived from New Zealand plants. As the raw material industry in New Zealand grows, Living Nature will be expanding this. The issues that are important for New Zealand is to focus on how precious this land really is, and to protect its shores as a unique place on the planet. Living Nature is based in Kerikeri, a rural town of New Zealand with a population of under 10,000. The Living Nature staff and I all enjoy this special place, with beautiful rivers and coastline, native bush and an abundance of warmth in the people who live here. New Zealand people on a whole are pioneers, adaptable to constant change which has helped in the creation of Living Nature. The people accept and encourage new ideas, always looking outside the square for new and innovative solutions. Living Nature's factory here is based on several acres along with a retail shop and clinics. The Living Nature plants are all grown away from our premises on land far away from any roads. Please visit Living Nature if you are ever in the area. Living Nature are determined to bring you the safest natural skincare possible, and give you the following promises: No Synthetic Chemicals or Preservatives No Animal Ingredients No Animal Testing No Irradiated Ingredients No Herbicide or Pesticide Residues No Mineral Oils No Genetically Modified Ingredients Products made with love and energy by caring people Contain high qualities of bioactive ingredients Packaging as environmentally friendly as possible That Living Nature will do our best to research and find the safest, healthiest and natural ingredients possible." Suzanne Hall - Living Nature See Living Nature products
Please see www.livingnature.com for more information. Please also email us at sales@theremustbeabetterway.co.uk if you would like us to stock any other lines from Living Nature. |