Pāharakeke, Heretaunga

Lightweight, Beautiful, Affordable
A collection of recycled, upcycled,
beautifully crafted Māori earrings.
Great addition to any
wāhine and tāhine wardrobe.
Made in Aotearoa by Wahine Māori.
Kōtuku, the highest compliment was to liken someone to the kōtuku as it symbolizes everything rare and beautiful.
Te kōtuku rerenga tahi
The white heron of a single flight
So rarely does kōtuku appear that this Māori proverb was said to distinguished guests who seldom visited.
Māori would capture individual kōtuku, keep it in a cage and every few months one of the feathers was plucked for use as an adornment.
The long breeding feathers were tapu, and used to adorn the head of chiefs, both in life and death.
They were also used in cloaks and kites, women only wearing the shorter plumes.
The kōtuku feathers were kept in ornately carved boxes, just like huia feathers.
If a man dreamt of his ancestors skull decorated with kōtuku feathers, his wife’s baby would be a boy; the black feathers of the huia foretold the birth of a girl.
It's said that kōtuku lives in the spirit land of Reinga.
An old funeral chant ends with the words to the departed:
Ko to kōtuku to tapui, e Tama e
Kōtuku is now thy sole companion, O my son
Made from vinyl and stainless steel hooks.
Measures 12cm x 2cm with 18cm tassels.
Whakakai's kaupapa is to provide beautiful, quality, affordable earrings for wāhine and tāhine from all walks of life. I myself couldn't afford to buy even a $25 pair of earrings at one point, I'd always put it off and say "Never mind", I don't want other wāhine/tāhine to feel like that, so you will see my prices range from $5-$30, so everyone can afford a pair. The earrings I have priced at $30 are the really detailed ones that take a lot of time to complete. So from short earrings, medium earrings to super big earrings, there's a whole range to check out.
They are so beautiful! Can't wait to send them off. Thank you so much!Xxx
I love earrings. Love your mahi. Thank you so much.
I have to say thank you so much for the earrings ano. They are ataahua!!
Yay! Yes love those ones. Thank you so much. I wear the earrings you sent me all the time and people ask me about them HEAPS!
Kim Grace
Store Manager
Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Waiapu te awa
Ko Horouta te waka
Ko Ngati Porou te iwi
Ko Ruataupare te marae
Ko Te Whānau a Ruataupare ki Tuparoa te hapū
No Wairoa ahau engari ka noho au ki Heretaunga
Ko Kim Grace toku ingoa
Just a little bit about myself, I started Whakakai in August 2020.... I was making some earrings for my sisters during my break at work when my kaiako Whaea Rosie saw and asked if I could make her some and she'd pay me. Long story short she became my model trying out all the new styles and coming back from the staffroom saying who wanted some etc... So I decided I'd just sell to colleagues and within the school.
As word got out friends of colleagues wanted to order and wanted to know how they could order, so I made a page on facebook to showcase designs and people could order through there. I am now up all hours of the night doing orders.
I really enjoy anything to do with art, photography and Te Ao Māori and love coming up with new designs.
I am a mum of three (which is my number one priority) and I am currently homeschooling so please be patient. I do my best to get orders done promptly, but sometimes things can come up.
Big thank you to all the whānau, friends, work colleagues and customers for your tautoko and encouragement along the way.
Ngā mihi nui❤️
Pāharakeke, Heretaunga