DIY Whakatipua - white

Artist interpretation

At the heart of this weave sits the Pātikitiki, the flounder, representing manaakitanga, abundance, flourishing and dreaming. It reminds us that when we nurture others and share what we have, abundance is able to flow freely and return to us through many pathways.

The lines extending from the Pātikitiki speak to the growth and movement of te reo Māori - a language that flourishes when it is shared, spoken, nurtured and passed from one generation to the next. They remind us that the future strength of our language depends on all of us creating spaces where te reo can be heard, valued and lived.

The Purapura Whetū, or star seeds, positioned on either side of the weave represent our tūpuna and those who have gone before us. They acknowledge the gifts they have left in our hands - their knowledge, language, love, tikanga and ways of knowing, being and doing. Their voices continue to guide us and provide the foundations from which our language can grow.

The star seeds also speak to the generations that surround us -  those who have carried te reo before us and those who will carry it forward. They remind us that language is a living taonga, strengthened each time it is spoken, shared and passed on.

The Tūmatakahuki stitch binds the weave together, representing the connection between our physical and spiritual worlds. It reminds us that our tūpuna remain intertwined with our lives, even when they are no longer physically with us. Their presence lives on through our whakapapa, our language, our tikanga and the knowledge we carry forward.

This piece celebrates Te Reo Māori as more than a celebration of language - it is a celebration of whakapapa, identity, connection and our collective responsibility to nurture te reo so that it can grow, flourish and remain a living language for generations to come.

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