Te Kāhu

Finished in 2024. 

Meaning ‘The Hawk’

This kākahu was inspired by thinking of what bird resonated when I thought of my daughter Aurora. I thought of the kind of person I felt she was, strong, tough, determined. Kinda mean sometimes. Fierce. Fast. She reminded me of a kāhu, or a hawk. Commonly spotted where we live in the Wairarapa and all throughout the NZ countryside. 

Made with natural whenu, this korowai was a dream that began as a rough sketch about 2 years before its completion in early 2024. It has a thick band of kāhu feathers, and for a long time, this was known as the kahukāhu (meaning kākahu adorned with kāhu feathers). After months of trying to find a name that fit, we realised that we had it there all along. 

Tāniko patterns include - 

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

Aramoana – connections through water

Niho Taniwha – for the story/teller

Aronui – knowledge about the natural world 

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

‘Te Kāhu’, for our fierce, determined, strong, tough daughter. The one who protects those she cares about, and who knows what she wants and is not afraid to work for her dreams.