Kaupapa / Raison d’être
Purpose
At O Te Rā, we unite the ancestral craft of French perfumery with the sacred philosophies of Te Ao Māori, honouring both tradition and transformation. Each fragrance is a ceremony of sun phases and spirit, merging the precision of French artistry with the depth and symbolism of ta moko, whakapapa, and whenua.
We believe scent is more than sensation, it is memory carved in meaning. A way to evoke your story, your ancestors, and your becoming.
Guided by Te Rā, the sun, we create not just perfume, but portals. For those who walk with intention.
For the curious, the bold, the creators.
Ngā kaihanga/ Les Fondateurs
Maia Gibbs
A ta moko and contemporary artist from Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Maia brings a distinctly Māori lens to the visual and symbolic world of O Te Rā. His artistry draws from ancient patterns and personal ancestry, reinterpreting them in bold, modern ways. His hand is seen in every motif, every mark, every scent that carries a deeper story.
James Penman
From the west coast of Tāmaki Makaurau to the rugby fields of England to the ateliers of Europe, James’s journey has been one of transformation. With years of physical discipline and spiritual exploration, for him, scent is the most intimate form of story: invisible, emotional, and enduring.
Gregory Sebsastien
Born in Martinique, raised in Lyon, and trained in the legendary perfume town of Grasse, Greg is the olfactory architect of O Te Rā. With over a decade in the fragrance world, he bridges French precision with soulful composition, using scent to translate sunlight, identity, and emotion into something unforgettable. He and James first met playing rugby, and the bond forged then, under relentless skies, would later become the foundation of this brand.