About Waiheke Herbs
“I am passionate about the revolution of businesses which are promoting health and wellbeing for humanity and the environment - locally and globally.
Anyone can support this revolution by choosing products made using ethical ingredients and practices, sustainably, organic, by local producers and growers who are working in harmony with nature rather than against it."
Wendy Kendall, Founder
Waiheke Herbs seeks to inspire our customers towards healthier food and lifestyle choices, and a closer connection to our beautiful and precious natural environment.
We hand select the best quality herbs and flowers from our gardens, which we use the following day to make our products - to retain the freshest flavours and richest nutrient content possible.
The herbs that we can’t grow in our dry, windy gardens, are sourced from quality NZ growers who also care about sustainability, organics and a family- orientated team culture.
Our other food ingredients and oils are sourced from organic suppliers where possible;
A lifelong passion for herbs, healthy living and wholesome food inspired Wendy Kendall to develop a range of products using 100% natural and delicious ingredients to help nourish and heal her family and friends.
In 1985, she began attending a series of courses and workshops in herbalism, nutrition, natural body-care and healing, and was particularly interested in using wild weeds and native plants. She soon began making her own skin-care products, spreads and condiments.
After Wendy moved to Waiheke Island in 1993 to raise a family, she began experimenting with the wild herbs growing vigorously in her backyard to create a healthy herbal spread for her young children. With encouragement from her friends who kept asking for more! she decided to make her spread “seriously” and spent a whole year observing which herbs could be sourced year around, to develop the now famous Waiheke Herb Spread which was launched at the local market in Spring 2004 and sold out within two hours!
Taking the Herb Spread to Farmers Markets in Auckland over the next few years, confirmed it's popularity and convinced Wendy to approach organic stores and supermarkets throughout New Zealand including Farro Fresh, Huckleberry's, Commonsense Organics, Fresh Choice, and select New World stores where it is now well established, with more outlets coming!
Support from her family and friends and the occasional expert, has made the journey lots of fun, from tending the herb gardens, manufacturing in the kitchen, packaging thousands of products, to promoting and selling at trade shows and in-store tastings.
Our story and philosophy
Our original Herb Spread in 2005
Establishing the gardens 2006
By 2018 Wendy’s team had grown to 8! including production and sales teams. Every October is Waiheke Herbs annual staff event to celebrate our birthday month - and that year we made essential oils from our herbs with Jill from The Botanical Distillery/Alembics, and then made skincare products with the essential oils
In 2019 the team faced their fears of heights! and went flying over the native bush in Rotorua on the Canopy Tours.
Our Waiheke team on the last day at Rangihoua Estate; Arielle, Karianne, Davina (our production manager who now commutes to East Tamaki) myself and Toni.
A new era in 2022
In 2022 we had to move from our hired kitchen home of 16 years at Rangihoua Estate - Waiheke Island’s largest olive oil producer, after it was purchased by Allpress Olive Groves. We were very fortunate to be able to move into our own custom designed production premises in East Tamaki in March.
It was sad to leave most of our amazing production team behind on Waiheke Island.. But we now have a lovely new team in our new home who are loving their new occupation making our gorgeous products in a beautiful space!
You can now find us at Unit 7, 29 Neilpark Drive, East Tamaki. Our factory shop is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Our fantastic team at our 2022 Staff Event on Waiheke Island!
Waiheke Herbs are proud to support the following charities annually since 2007
