KelpHelpers was born out of a deep personal connection to the ocean and a growing concern for the future of New Zealand's marine ecosystems. We've always loved the sea—from diving into rich, vibrant underwater worlds as a child to the unfortunate reality we face today, where those same kelp forests are disappearing at an alarming rate.

This complex issue is caused by many factors, such as diseases, sedimentation, ocean warming, and overfishing. This last one has led to a dramatic decline in predator species that once kept kina (sea urchin) populations in check. Without these natural predators, kina numbers have surged and are now devastating kelp forests along our coasts.

We believe businesses can drive change, which is why we launched KelpHelpers as a movement combining innovation and marine restoration. Our first initiative, the Restoration Coaster Set, turns repurposed kina shells into a beautiful product that funds the removal of one square meter of excess Kina from a properly consented and approved barren area.

This product offers a simple, impactful way for everyone to support marine recovery. We're also developing new projects focused on monitoring restoration efforts, which are set to launch early next year.

We hope our mission inspires you to join us in this journey.