Lavender duo Lavendell farewell Katikati after nearly a decade

Pieter and Helena Maarschalk, the familiar faces behind Katikati's beloved Lavendell business, are preparing to close the chapter on their lavender farm and family home as they look ahead to a fresh start in early 2026. Helena, a former teacher and church worker, first had the idea back in 2015 while living in Pukekohe — the word 'lavender' simply came to her one day while out walking, despite knowing little about the plant.

The couple moved to Katikati in 2016, purchasing a lifestyle block where they planted their first 200 lavender plants in 2017 and added another 150 the following year. Over the years they grew their range to include essential oils, bath soap, shampoo bars, liquid hand soap, lavender mist, eye masks and plants, selling them at the weekly Katikati Plant & Produce Market and the monthly Town & Country Market. By 2019 they were distilling their own oil using a still sourced from a Waihi lavender grower.

Health challenges for Pieter over the past year, combined with a strong desire to be closer to their grandchildren in the South Island, have prompted the decision to sell. Helena described the farewell as bittersweet, saying they would deeply miss their farm, their neighbours, and their Katikati Community Baptist Church whānau. Pieter said he would especially miss the birdsong and the views, while the grandchildren had always loved playing in the garden and the cross-country course he built on the property.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).