Wairarapa is officially the home of the country's best lavender essential oil.
Pauline Harwood of Lavender Magic was awarded gold for her Lanadula Augustifolia Violet Intrigue 2010, at the New Zealand Lavender Growers Association annual meeting last Saturday in Wellington.
This earned her the overall Dennis Matthews Memorial Trophy, whichshe shared with Wellington's Jenny Holmes, as both oils were awarded the same number of points.
Ms Harwood also received silver for her Lanadula Augustifolia Violet Intrigue 2011.
She said she was "rapt" with the win, especially after getting her shop up and running earlier this year. "I decided to take my passion one step further and do it full time."
Trained as a lavender judge herself, Ms Harwood said the win wasn't a total surprise. "I knew I did have something very special."
She said it was a great way to have her efforts recognised.
"It's been a difficult year as far as sales and getting up and running, so I've just got part-time job so I can keep the shop running," Ms Harwood said. "We are on the track and we've just got to stick it out and hopefully get the support from the local community."
