Aotea Health, founded in 2017 by
Tama Toki, is a company deeply rooted in the wisdom of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). Inspired by the therapeutic qualities of Aotearoa’s natural environment, Aotea Health blends innovation with the healing power of native flora to deliver skincare and pharmaceutical solutions. Its name reflects its origins—Aotea, or Great Barrier Island—where the company grows the native plants used in its products and extracts their active compounds for key therapeutic benefits.
Aotea Health’s commitment to its values and culture forms the foundation of its business. By manufacturing its core range on the papakāinga (ancestral land), the company creates local jobs, strengthening its community. Additionally, it has proudly provided scholarships for four consecutive years, enabling rangatahi Māori (Māori youth) from Aotea to attend high school in Auckland, as the island lacks its own secondary school.
This dedication to sustainability and community extends to Aotea Health’s operations. Significant investments are being made in research and development, alongside efforts to achieve a fully circular economy by eliminating waste. The company is expanding its solar farm to ensure production facilities are powered largely by renewable energy, minimising the environmental impact of its manufacturing process and its products.
Despite these accomplishments, challenges emerged as Aotea Health grew. By 2023, the company’s accounting setup was holding it back. “We weren’t getting the results we needed,” Tama explains. “Our systems weren’t fully integrated with Xero, and we were quickly outgrowing our existing accounting firm. Put simply, we lacked the visibility and guidance to make informed decisions.” Seeking a financial partner who could align with their vision, Aotea Health found their match in Moore Markhams.
Partnering for Success
Tama and Aotea Health’s COO, Brady McCabe, met with
Belinda Young, Director at
Moore Markhams Auckland six months ago. From the start, the connection was clear. “Belinda immediately understood our business, the challenges we faced, and how we could overcome them,” Tama says. The meeting left them optimistic about what Moore Markhams could offer.
Since switching to Moore Markhams, the transformation has been remarkable. “It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made,” Brady affirms. With a focus on proactive financial management, Moore Markhams has provided Aotea Health with accurate reporting and enhanced business visibility. This clarity has been vital in navigating the tighter post-2022 economic landscape and has directly improved business performance, helping Aotea Health achieve an impressive 139% top-line growth in 2024.
Looking ahead, Aotea Health is preparing for an exciting 2025. A rebrand is underway, which will unveil a fresh aesthetic and new energy, reinforcing the brand’s connection to innovation and nature’s healing power. In addition, Aotea Health will re-launch its most popular SKU – Kawakawa Balm - into pharmacies across New Zealand.
Aotea Energy: Expanding the Vision
Tama’s vision for innovation doesn’t stop at healthcare. In 2025,
Aotea Energy—a sister company to Aotea Health founded by Tama in 2023 —will bring a revolutionary energy product to market – a smart battery, designed and built in Westhaven, Auckland, by Tama’s in-house team of software and hardware engineers.
After the overwhelmingly positive experience with Aotea Health, support from Moore Markhams - as Aotea Energy’s accounting partner - was considered essential to get Aotea Energy off the ground. As a result, with guidance from
George Nettlingham, a Senior Accountant at Moore Markhams Auckland, Aotea Energy is confidently building a solid financial foundation for launch.
For Aotea Energy customers, Aotea Energy’s smart battery and software control system will reduce reliance on the grid, improve resilience, and lower energy bills, by facilitating access to low-cost, renewable energy. For Tama and his team, this expansion represents more than just growth; it’s a commitment to improving the lives of people and the sustainability of the planet.
The Moore Markhams Difference
What makes Moore Markhams stand out for Tama and his team is their proactive approach. “We’ve worked with accountants before, but none who could anticipate our needs the way they do,” Tama says. “They’ve helped us build not just a business, but a vision for the future.”
From skincare to energy solutions, Aotea Health and Aotea Energy are redefining what it means to lead in their industries. With Moore Markhams by their side, Tama is confident the best is yet to come. “It’s not just about numbers; it’s about partnership. And with Moore Markhams, we’ve found the perfect partner.”
Learn more about Aotea Health by clicking
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Learn more about Aotea Energy by clicking
here.
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