Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)

What is Kawakawa?

Kawakawa (Piper excelsum) is one of those plants you tend to notice before you know its name. The heart‑shaped leaves, the small holes that pattern them, and that warm, lightly peppery scent when you brush past it all make it hard to miss.

For us, Kawakawa stands out because it feels quietly present rather than showy. It grows in the background of many walks, offering shade and texture more than colour, and yet it has become a central part of how we think about botanical skincare.

At Eckco, Kawakawa is included as part of our Kawakawa infused oils, balms and the Skin Support Botanical Soak.

Kawakawa in New Zealand

Habitat and distribution

Kawakawa grows in many parts of New Zealand, particularly in warmer and more sheltered regions. It is commonly found near forest edges, waterways and damp, shaded places.

  • Often found in forests, bush margins and riparian areas
  • Grows well in sheltered, well‑drained locations
  • Can tolerate mild coastal conditions and salt spray
  • Is sensitive to heavy frost
  • Can be grown in gardens where conditions are suitable

Responsible harvesting means taking only what is needed and leaving enough foliage for the plant to continue growing.

Walking through the bush, you often realise Kawakawa is there before you see it — the scent is a soft clue that you are moving through its space.

Leaf characteristics and insect interaction

Kawakawa leaves are usually heart‑shaped and may have small holes or markings. These marks are a familiar feature of the plant and are often caused by native insect feeding, including the Kawakawa looper moth caterpillar.

  • Small holes in the leaves do not necessarily indicate disease
  • The markings are part of the plant’s relationship with its environment
  • Leaves vary naturally in size, colour and texture
  • Marked leaves are often associated with mature foliage
Kawakawa Skincare

Kawakawa in tradition and skincare

Kawakawa is more than a botanical name on a label. For many people, it carries stories of place, of rongoā, and of careful relationships with the whenua where it grows.

Traditional Māori uses

Kawakawa has a long history of use in rongoā Māori. Historical and traditional preparations have included leaves infused into oils or warm water for topical use.

The plant has also appeared in ceremonial and cultural settings. These practices reflect a longstanding relationship with Kawakawa, the land where it grows and the care taken when harvesting it.

Botanical compounds and sensory qualities

Kawakawa contains naturally occurring botanical compounds, including myristicin, elemicin, diayangambin, lignans and amides. Research continues to examine these constituents and the plant more broadly.

Eckco does not use Kawakawa to make therapeutic claims. We include it for its place in our botanical infusions, its connection to New Zealand and its distinctive plant character.

When the leaves are handled or crushed, Kawakawa has a warm, earthy and lightly peppery aroma. In an oil infusion, this character is subtle rather than strongly scented.

Our approach to Kawakawa

Sourcing and harvesting

We grow and harvest a private supply of Kawakawa for use across our Kawakawa infused oils, balms and the Skin Support Botanical Soak. The plants are allowed to grow in their own time, and we like to keep harvesting to a minimum — taking only what we need for production.

Some leaves are infused into carrier oils, such as sunflower oil, to form the Kawakawa infused base for our oils and balms. Other leaves are carefully dried and milled for use in the Botanical Soak.

We value the quiet character of this leaf and try to let that come through in the way we work with it.

Cultural significance and modern appreciation

Kawakawa holds significance within many iwi traditions and is part of New Zealand’s wider cultural and botanical identity. It has also appeared in waiata and carving motifs.

Today, people may recognise Kawakawa for its familiar leaf shape, peppery scent and place in New Zealand botanical products. We aim to use and describe it with care, clear ingredient information and respect for its history.

You will find Kawakawa in products including Skin Barrier Balm and Skin Support Oil.

For us, working with Kawakawa connects the care we take in growing the plants and harvesting their leaves with everyday rituals of caring for skin — a familiar scent, a careful touch, and a plant that has long been part of New Zealand’s landscape.

Using Kawakawa infused products

Kawakawa infused oils, balms and the Botanical Soak can fit easily into a straightforward skincare routine. Choose the products and amounts that feel right for your own preferences and routine.

A straightforward routine

  1. Cleanse: Start with clean skin.
  2. Apply an oil: Use a few drops of a Kawakawa infused oil, pressing or smoothing it over the skin as preferred.
  3. Finish with a balm: Apply a balm containing the infusion where you would like an additional protective layer.
  4. Optional soak: On some days, add the Skin Support Botanical Soak to a bath or local soak, then follow with oil and/or balm afterwards.

The botanical infusion has a subtle, plant‑like aroma and can be used as part of a minimal, fragrance‑free routine.

Learn more about Kawakawa in The Journal, where we share botanical notes and product guides.