Our Story

Āio represents peace, calm, and balance.

Founded by Taej Maipi Ahu, Āio was born from my own healing journey. I've always felt a strong connection to holistic healing, which led me to explore more natural ways to support my health and wellbeing.

At Āio, we believe wellness should be simple. Our sea moss is wildcrafted from the waters of St Lucia and prepared fresh in Aotearoa, creating a nourishing super food made with care and intention. Our goal is to create something people can trust and feel good about making part of their daily routine.

My Journey

I was navigating inflammation, hormones, cycle pain, digestion, and the everyday impact of Endometriosis. When medication wasn't supporting those symptoms, I started researching natural ways to better support my health. I wanted something that didn't just mask the pain but helped nourish my body from within.

That's when I found sea moss.

As I learned more about its traditional uses and nutritional profile, I decided to try it for myself. I started using wildcrafted Purple and Gold sea moss from St Lucia and noticed changes quickly, especially during my cycle. My periods became significantly easier, my digestion felt more settled, my bloating reduced, and my energy felt clearer.

What stood out most was that it wasn't just about pain relief. Sea moss is naturally rich in minerals, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like my body was being properly nourished and supported.

As I continued learning and using sea moss, I realised how difficult it was to find authentic, high-quality sea moss in Aotearoa. Many options didn't feel transparent, fresh, or like something I fully trusted putting into my body.

So I started making it myself, keeping everything simple using wildcrafted sea moss, natural spring water, and fresh lime.

I began making it for my whānau first, then for friends, preparing it the same way each time with care, intention, and consistency. Seeing how it supported others in their own way made me realise this was something worth sharing.

Quality Begins At The Source

The sea moss used in every jar of Āio is wildcrafted and harvested from the waters of St Lucia in the Caribbean, where sea moss has been gathered for generations. We work with a trusted local supplier who shares our commitment to quality, transparency, and care, giving us confidence in both the source of our sea moss and the product we create.

Te Taiao

Our connection to wellbeing begins with our connection to te taiao. From the ocean where our sea moss grows to the way each jar is prepared and packaged, we believe in making considered choices that respect the natural world.

Where possible, we work with Aotearoa-based suppliers for our packaging and production needs and choose materials with waste in mind. Our orders are packed using recycled and recyclable materials where possible, and we encourage our customers to reuse or recycle their jars once they're finished.

As Āio grows, we want to continue making conscious choices that reduce waste, support local businesses, and care for the environment that sustains us.

Prepared With Intention

• Wildcrafted sea moss from St Lucia

• Prepared fresh in Aotearoa

• Small-batch production

• Natural spring water and fresh lime

• No fillers, preservatives, or unnecessary additives

Every jar is prepared fresh with care and intention. We believe in keeping things simple, respecting the source of our ingredients, and creating something people can trust.

Ngā Uara

Our values are at the heart of Āio and guide the choices we make, from what goes into each jar to how we source, prepare, and share our sea moss.

Quality

Choosing high-quality ingredients and being thoughtful about where they come from. We keep our products simple, fresh, and consistent, with transparency around what goes into every jar.

Wellbeing

Creating products with a genuine purpose — to support everyday wellbeing and make nourishing your body feel simple and achievable.

Care

Putting care and intention into every part of Āio, from how our products are prepared and packaged to the people and environment around us.

Connection

Staying connected to the source of our ingredients, te taiao, our community, and the purpose behind Āio.