Manawanui

Woven in 2020

Meaning steadfast, determined

This korowai was the final kākahu before graduating The Hetet School of Māori Art. 

Weaving her taught me a lot about myself, and about what I could achieve if I stuck at something and didn’t give up. It look a long time, aand was probably the toughest piece I have woven to date. It has feathers from all sorts of manu, and black hukahuka.

Tāniko patterns include - 

Pouhine – to represent the quest for knowledge, and striving for excellence

Aramoana – connections through water

Niho Taniwha – for the story/teller

Kowhaiwhai – a particular pattern that my grandmother used to weave. This section is a nod to her

To weave a korowai is a huge accomplishment, and this one really paved the way for me as a weaver. In the beginning, I truly did not think I was good enough, that my preparation wasn’t good enough, and that I would disappoint my teachers if I started weaving her. Who needs enemies when your own brain is working against you? Luckily my teacher, Whaea Veranoa, convinced me to ‘just start’, and everything else eventually fell into place. I ended up being the first one to complete a korowai and to complete all the online modules that were available at that time. The name ‘Manawanui’ came from the fact I had to have it, in order to finish. This kākahu taught me to ‘just start’, and that is something that has carried me through every kākahu since.