Hohepa Candle Workshop is one of several work centres where people with with an intellectual disability learn and master hand-crafts. Our mission is to bring a bright light into everybody’s life: the candle makers and our customers.

Candle-making is an ancient craft which connects a sense of aesthetics and beauty with a highly developed set of skills which suits the workers well – mostly adults with an intellectual disability. An environment of warmth and colour coupled with a measured working pace which engages and supports people in their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.The workers have the opportunity to self-develop beyond productivity, speed and any individual limitations.

Hohepa Hawkes Bay is a community nestled between two rivers and the sea offering the benefits of living, participating, growing and developing in a beautiful natural environment. We aim to support every individual living and/or working at Hohepa to live their life to their fullest potential. Our principals are based on the holistic view of the human being which was developed by Rudolf Steiner.

The candles are hand made from 100% local beeswax which has been produced by bees roaming the Hawkes Bay region. Our dedicated staff teach and enable the candle makers to transform this natural product into a range of beautiful shining candles.

They are a part of every step of the process: from collecting the beeswax in Takapau to pouring, dipping and colouring candles in the studio, to selling and distributing it to our partners and retailers. This enables the candle makers to see the meaning of their effort and understand the contribution they make to bringing beauty into customers lives.

Our candles are special, not only because they are unique but also because every person who contributed to their making has unique strengths and opportunities to grow.

They are special because they support local producers and use natural products. They are special because through every irregularity the craftsman or woman speaks to the customer.

They are special because every candle bought and lit supports a person in their development.

Hohepa is a non-profit organisation but if surplus occurs from sales it is shared back to the candle makers.

Buying one of our candles doesn’t only buy you an amazing local, hand-crafted product but also supports people in their well-being, self-worth and contribution to their life.