Pāharakeke, Heretaunga
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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.
Kōwhai, is said to symbolise personal growth and helps people to move on from the past with a renewed sense of adventure.
It is said that the kōwhai sprung from the shreds of the cloak of the tohunga Ngatoroirangi of the Te Arawa waka on its arrival to Aotearoa.
The legend says that a young tohunga asked a girl to marry him while they sat under the bare branches of a kōwhai tree in the month of August.
She replies that she will only marry him if he can perform some brilliant act.
“I will show you what I can do. I will cause this tree to spring instantly into flower before your eyes.”
He used all his powers and the tree bursts into bloom, his final touch causing a ring of yellow blossoms to appear around the dark hair of the girl.
Ever since, the kōwhai has flowered on bare and leafless branches.
When the first yellow flowers of kōwhai appear, it signals the start of Koanga, the end of Takurua, the frosts were gone and it was time to plant kūmara.
The yellow pigment of the flowers was also used to create a dye for harakeke.
Māori would use the bark of the tree in a bath to help with bruising, and it has many other rongoā properties.
Kōwhai flowers are also a favourite source of kai for our native manu.
Made from vinyl and stainless steel hooks.
Measures 4cm x 2cm.
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