Introduction

Coconut oil is a natural oil extracted from the flesh of coconuts and has been valued by cultures throughout the world for generations. It is widely used in cooking, skincare, haircare, and traditional wellbeing practices.

Traditional Significance & History

Across the Pacific, coconut oil has long held a special place in everyday care, ceremony, and traditional wellbeing practices.

In many island cultures, coconut oil has been used to nourish the skin, condition the hair, support massage, and protect the body from dryness caused by sun, saltwater, and wind. From Samoa to Tonga, Hawai‘i, Tahiti, Rarotonga, and throughout wider Polynesia, it has been part of daily life as both a practical resource and a treasured gift from the niu.

In Samoa, coconut oil, known as lolo, has been used to oil the skin, groom the hair, and support massage practices such as fofō. In Tahiti and French Polynesia, coconut oil is also central to mono‘i, where it is infused with tiare to create a fragrant oil used for skin, hair, and massage.

While each island has its own traditions and ways of using coconut oil, a shared thread across the Pacific is its connection to care — care for the tinana, care for the hair and skin, and care carried through generations.

Why We Use It

Rich in naturally occurring fatty acids, coconut oil is appreciated for its moisturising and conditioning qualities. Its smooth texture helps support the skin’s natural moisture balance while leaving the skin feeling soft, nourished, and cared for.

The Ānuku Connection

At Ānuku, we use coconut oil within selected rongoā-inspired skincare products to create a smooth, nourishing base that complements our native rākau ingredients.

For us, coconut oil connects beautifully with the wider story of Te-Moana-nui-a-Kiwa — a reminder that the natural world has always provided resources for care, nourishment, and everyday wellbeing.