Taonga Pātaka

These platters were created for a need for some beautiful homeware/serving ware with a Māori flavour, that also tells a story. My favourite meal that I like to share with my husband is cheese, crackers and bread, with some homemade pickles and cold meats. 

The pattern has a special meaning. The koru going into each other and stemming from each other represents mothers and daughters, fathers and sons. Generations after generations. In short, whakapapa and whanau. I’ve been told it also resembles a manu or a tui, and what do tui do? They chatter, much like whanau do when sharing a meal around the dinner table.

The wood is made from repurposed furniture, cut and sanded before being sent to another local wāhine for the design etching. Once the board is returned, it is oiled and finished with harakeke handles.

Because of the random nature of the original pieces of furniture, there are no standard sizes! And some pieces will have holes, from where there were nails or screws once. We believe this adds to the character of the piece and makes each platter individual and unique.