Helen was the proud winner of the Marketing & Sales Category and 1 of 3 local Māori businesswoman recognised at this year’s Māori Women’s Development Incorporated (MWDI) 2022 Business Awards.

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Drawing nutrients and traditional healing properties from native plants, is the heart and soul of Helen Paul-Smith’s business ŌKU.

From teas to elixirs, balms or gifts, Helen (48) has a passion for rongoa Māori and Aotearoa’s natural environment.

Based in Tamahere, Helen and those behind ŌKU took home the marketing and sales award.

She says being a wahine Māori inspires the vision behind her business and she feels more deeply connected with her whakapapa and her tūpuna through working with native plants.

“My entire business is based upon kaupapa Māori principles as ŌKU is a company that makes health products from the native plants of Aotearoa,” said Paul-Smith.

“I wear a lot of different hats, so I can kind of do anything that the business requires from plantings to harvesting, packaging and design.

“There are a huge range of jobs but two of the things I enjoy the most are continuously learning about the New Zealand natives... and working with my team on the marketing aspect of the business...and creating the brand story.”

For Helen, it’s important to give back to the environment that provides for her business.

“We work with the plants, but we’re not just taking, we really wanted to have this circular economy aspect to the business where we grow more New Zealand natives as well as help heal people.”

She said for wāhine Māori to be recognised through the awards was a sign of the hard work and persistence to prove people wrong and show success and potential.

She says standing alongside other wāhine Māori in business is what means the most and makes the recognition memorable. “It was so inspiring,” she said.