TE WIKI O TE REO MĀORI SPECIAL - LIMITED PRODUCT - DIY - Kaokao - White

Artist's Interpretation

Kaokao has been understood to represent the stance of warriors performing haka, the rib cage that protects our vital organs, and the shape created beneath the arms when we embrace another. Together, these meanings speak to the strength we find in standing together, protecting one another, and holding each other close.

Set against a white panel representing Te Ao Mārama — the world of light and understanding, this weave is a reminder to live our lives with aroha and kotahitanga at the centre. To love generously, to stand together, and to recognise the strength that comes from unity.

The Tūmatakahuki stitch represents the binding together of our physical and spiritual worlds. It offers comfort in the knowledge that those we love may no longer walk beside us physically, but their presence continues to live within us. We carry their stories, their teachings and their love forward.

The Pūrapura Whetū represent our tūpuna  - our ancestors - watching over us and walking beside us through their invisible footsteps. Their presence reminds us that we are never truly alone; we are connected to those who came before us and those who will come after us.

Created as a reflection of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, this piece honours the resilience, strength and love that have carried te reo Māori through generations. It celebrates a language that continues to be revitalised, reclaimed and carried forward.

At its heart, this weave is a celebration of aroha, kotahitanga, whakapapa and resilience, a reminder that our greatest strength lies in the connections we hold, the people we love, and the stories we choose to carry forward.

Materials: Each kete includes a beautifully crafted MDF board with a high-quality painted finish, carefully selected aho colours, a pattern to guide your weave, and the artist’s kōrero - offering inspiration for you to adapt and make your own unique creation.

Dimensions: 30cm diameter