Wild Kinship: The Makers by Monique Hemmingson
Why is art important and what impact does it have on society? Wild Kinship: The Makers by Monique Hemmingson takes us on a journey to find out. We share an extract from the book and step into the home of conscious entrepreneur Jackie Lee, founder of sustainable skincare brand, Tahi.
Photography: Erin Cave
Jackie Lee, pictured in her home in Karamea, New Zealand with her partner, Nate and their daughter. Photo: Erin Cave
‘When I started to learn more about plants and first connected with my partner, Nate, and our friend and business partner, Laine, I started to feel that oneness. It changed the way I thought about myself, and that was where our business, Tahi – the Māori word for one – was born,’ says Jackie Lee. Photo: Erin Cave
JACKIE LEE
What do you do?
I handmake a range of natural skincare products [Tahi] from home. It’s doing what I love, working with nature.
Why is this work important to you?
It feels personal because it has reconnected me with myself. Which was really important for my mental health. In the past, I had felt anxious a lot of the time, and it was getting harder and harder to find meaning in the day-to-day grind. When I started to learn more about plants and first connected with my partner, Nate, and our friend and business partner, Laine, I started to feel that oneness. It changed the way I thought about myself, and that was where our business, Tahi – the Māori word for one – was born.
What led you here, and how has your journey evolved?
I was studying naturopathy and herbal medicine in Auckland, and I met Laine. That period was a real change in discourse for me, and I felt transformed from those learnings. My mum was into alternative medicine and is a believer in positive thoughts and ‘biology of belief’, so some wasn’t entirely new, but a lot of what we were learning opened me up to a new way of life. Shortly after meeting both Laine and Nate, who grew up in small Māori communities, I found a new understanding and connectedness to nature and way of life that I didn’t even know was missing.
Finding ways of working together in our communities but also with Mother Nature, together across the whole spectrum, was always something I had resonated with but never knew how to explore. Nate and I were living in the Waitākere Ranges. I had struggled with my skin a lot and felt the industry was overcomplicated when it didn’t need to be. I started playing around with oils and using them myself and then found you only needed one product, for the most part, and started simplifying my care regimen, which became the birth of Tahi. We’ve moved around since then and came here, to Whangārei Heads, a few years back. Now I manage the production process, source ingredients, formulate the recipes and blend the oils, package and distribute them and Laine works on sales and marketing.
How has your upbringing impacted you?
I grew up in Christchurch. My parents were both business owners, and life was really busy. But we were lucky to live on a lifestyle block with lots of animals and space around us and with my grandparents, who grew Christmas lilies and some vegetables in big tunnel houses across the road. I spent a lot of time there and absolutely loved being a part of that.
They were such working people. I remember they had rough hands from working with the earth. Gran would pull things from the oven without a mitt on. They were amazing; I loved taking in their ways. Mum and Dad were busy and worked so hard; they did so much for us.
We spent a lot of time on the West Coast as a family, and that drive from Christchurch is incredibly beautiful. It became the backdrop to my childhood, and that definitely had an effect on me and my love for nature. Those values were ingrained in me.
What does it mean to you to create?
To grow. Creation is part of our everyday. We are constantly creating something.
When did you first understand art as a form of expression?
When I was little, through dance. I always loved to dance. I needed that movement, and I knew I was expressing myself through that because of that sense of freedom it gave me.
Why is self-expression important?
Authenticity is so important. Having a way to express yourself means you can feel safe to be you. That’s how we grow, how we develop.
‘We’ve moved around since then and came here, to Whangārei Heads, a few years back. Now I manage the production process, source ingredients, formulate the recipes and blend the oils, package and distribute them and Laine works on sales and marketing.’ Photo: Erin Cave
“I have struggled with my privilege at times, even as a child: to accept my position and not feel guilty about that when other people have so little or have it so much harder. That feeling reminds me what I do with that privilege is really important.”
‘I feel so blessed to be doing what I’m doing. I love that it has a positive impact on my whānau [extended family], too. They get to see that I can create in my own daily existence and do something that I love, that gives back to our values.’ Photo: Erin Cave
‘Success for me is jumping, to take that leap of faith. One of the most terrifying thoughts is at the end of it all to be dying or close to, and to feel I didn’t make the most of life.’ Photo: Erin Cave
What impact does art have on society?
It is impossible to imagine humans existing without it. It is such a hugely important, nourishing and explorative tool that we depend upon. The word ‘nourishment’ really comes to mind. Not only do we need nourishment from food for our bodies, but art and creativity is the nourishment we need for our mental and emotional wellbeing. To be able to create and express and explore new ideas, to share that with one another in many different forms, it’s everything.
What has been your experience with imposter syndrome?
I feel that every single day. I feel that right now, speaking to you. Nate and I were reading about it recently and spoke about how common it is amongst people who are sharing their passion with the world. I feel like I should be out in the bush more, that I should be Māori, that I should be better qualified, that I should be doing more. That has been a big part of the development of myself, really processing those ideas that I have about me and where they come from. As I’ve thought about and tapped into that more, those feelings have begun to soften and subside, because I truly believe we are one. I know there are so many complications and complexities with issues such as race and prejudice, and I know my privilege, but at the same time I feel I should express myself and share from that space as I continue to learn.
What would you say to the statement ‘we are all creative, all of the time’?
I would agree with that. If you look at life that way, you’re able to learn from every moment and show yourself empathy, even when you do not act in the most desirable way. It is still an important part of your journey.
What is your process?
Currently, we use organic cold-pressed sweet almond oil for the base of all of our products. We use harakeke, koromiko, kōwhai, mānuka, lavender and propolis: so mostly natives, and all are sourced locally. My goal is to work directly with the growers and their community and eventually grow more here, on our beautiful and sacred land. Our property is almost two hectares and is mostly native bush. It’s incredible and important land. Our rammed-earth home in Taurikura Bay sits below Manaia Mountain. We are blessed to reside here. It’s important to me to put that good energy into the oils as I make them, so I won’t go into that room to work unless I’m in the right headspace and know I can do that.
What impact does this work have on your wellbeing?
It has such a positive impact. My mahi every day, working with plants and natural ingredients – I feel so blessed to be doing what I’m doing. I love that it has a positive impact on my whānau [extended family], too. They get to see that I can create in my own daily existence and do something that I love, that gives back to our values.
What is the importance of connection in our modern world?
Again, it’s our wellbeing. An integral part of our holistic health is connecting to ourselves, to one another, to the earth and the whole environment. Even just the little things, like connecting with water, swimming.
For me, it has to be that tangible connection. That sense of community and closeness, not through a screen. I have found, too, that being connected with those around me and my environment serves as a mirror of who and what I am, which has been a wonderful discovery.
What has been your biggest sacrifice?
Although it has been amazing to be at home with our daughter, Aldis, and run Tahi, there have been times where I have felt it would be great to not do anything else other than be a mother. In some ways, that has been a sacrifice. I hope that as Tahi grows to its potential, I find it was worth spending that time away from her and juggling mum life and a business.
What does success mean to you?
It’s doing the work on myself, being present, facing my fears and every day being open and learning. Success for me is jumping, to take that leap of faith. One of the most terrifying thoughts is at the end of it all to be dying or close to, and to feel I didn’t make the most of life.
What is a good piece of advice you have been given or would give?
Be brave enough to be your authentic self.
Who inspires you?
Everyone and everything. You can take something from anything, and I love that.
What are the little things that bring you joy?
Lighting the fire, cooking, listening to music, morning coffee in bed with Nate. Sometimes you forget how those little things impact you, but they can make the world of difference to your day.
Where do you hope to be in five years?
Intermsofthedaytoday,Ihopetobe working more closely with the plants and have continued to grow my knowledge of plant medicine. I’m also looking forward to watching our home and land grow and develop.
What does a better world mean to you?
An empathetic world.
