He kokonga ngākau - Behind the weave

This design is a woven reminder to love and care for ourselves. To practice peace within, and with all whom we encounter. 

He kokonga ngākau is an encouragement to tend carefully to the corners of the heart, the unseen pillars of our wellbeing, our emotions, thoughts and spirit. This blanket design is imbued with the notion that we are members of our communities too — to take care of ourselves is to take care of those we love.

Making time for intentional reflection within our whare to foster a sense of safety, especially in our most challenging moments, when dealing with matters of the heart, mauri and wairua.

The diamond-shaped pātiki motif woven into the central panels of this design reflects abundance and prosperity, whether that be food, knowledge or other resources to sustain ourselves and our communities. 

The tūmatakahuki overlapping weave design in the centre reflects mauri as the binding life force energy between the body and wairua (spiritual essence). This design story is an encouragement to care for and nurture ourselves, so we can then do the same for others. He kokonga ngākau reminds us to consistently ask of ourselves, are we in balance? 

The outer panels feature a woven impression of roimata toroa and purapura whetu, these vertical runs of interchanging pattern and colours reflect our relational values, the legacy of those passed, our lived experiences and our hopes for the future, for those yet to come.

By illuminating the corners of our heart to examine and investigate the things we feel impossible to express, to discover our truths and vulnerabilities and understand how we can love ourselves and others better.