Meet the inspiring hands behind Te Kete Aronui
Discover the dedicated artists who bring our unique Māori arts and crafts to life. Each piece tells a story, crafted with passion and generations of knowledge.
Our local creatives
Our featured artists are local creatives from, deeply passionate about their craft. They possess years of knowledge and expertise in their chosen fields, ensuring every item reflects authentic Māori traditions and contemporary artistry. Their dedication creates pieces of unparalleled quality and uniqueness.
A journey of dedication
Each artist's journey is a testament to their commitment to Māori arts. They pour their hearts and souls into their creations, bringing warmth, respect, and a deep sense of cultural heritage to every piece. This page allows you to connect with their stories and feel the essence of their unique artistry.
Meet our Artists
Learn about the people behind the taonga
Sally Reihana
Sally's Harakeke creations
Ko Wai Au?
Ko Sally ahau. For more than 25 years, weaving has been my passion, my creative outlet, and my way of connecting with people. What began as a childhood lesson from my beloved grandmother, also named Sally, has grown into a lifelong journey of creating, teaching, and sharing the beauty of raranga. As a little girl, my grandmother would send me to gather harakeke. Even after she eventually lost her sight, her knowledge and love for weaving never faded. She taught me that every piece tells a story, and those lessons have stayed with me every day since.
Although I always loved weaving, there came a time when life became busy and my passion was quietly put aside. Years later, while visiting Hamilton, I met an elderly wahine sitting quietly weaving. She looked at me and simply asked, “Do you know what I’m doing? Do you want to learn?” She invited me back the following Monday, and that single conversation reignited something deep within me. It reminded me that weaving wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was part of who I was. That experience inspired me to complete my Degree, specialising in raranga. After graduating, I hung my qualification on the wall and got straight to work—not in an office, but in the community where I belonged.
Since then I have been privileged to teach thousands of people throughout Aotearoa. I’ve shared weaving with tamariki in schools, whānau, community groups, universities, churches, health providers, mental health services, professional development programmes and wānanga. My greatest joy has never been the finished product—it’s watching the moment someone realises they can create something with their own hands. That spark, that confidence, that smile… that’s what inspires me to keep teaching.
Today, with the help of my tamariki, Sally’s Harakeke Creations has entered a new chapter. While weaving comes naturally to me, technology certainly doesn’t! Thankfully my children are experts in that world, and together we’ve created an online space where more people can connect, learn and be inspired.
Every piece I weave carries the teachings of my grandmother, the strength of my whakapapa, and the hope that these taonga and skills continue to be passed on for generations to come.
Nau mai, haere mai. I’m so grateful you’re here, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Ngā mihi nui, Sally
Brenda Warren
Wai Creationz
Ko Wai Au?
Ko Taranaki rāua ko Kakepuku aku maunga Ko Aotea rāua ko Tainui aku waka Ko Oeo rāua ko Waipā aku awa Ko Ngāruahine rāua ko Ngāti Maniapoto aku iwi Ko Oeo rāua ko Rereamanu aku Marae Toko iwa aku tamariki Ko Brenda Warren tōku ingoa Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.
WAI Creationz was born in 2017 after the passing of my beloved husband, Wairangi Warren. In one of the most difficult seasons of my life, I turned to creativity as a way to heal, honour his memory, and keep his wairua close. What began as a personal journey through grief has grown into a kaupapa I am deeply proud of today.
Through every taonga I create, I carry the aroha/love I have for my husband, my tamariki, my mokopuna, my whānau and the strength and wisdom passed down from my tīpuna. At WAI Creationz, I create contemporary Māori artwork and taonga using a vast range of materials, including wood, feathers, harakeke, resin, and treasures gathered from the ngahere.
Every piece is made with aroha and intention, grounded in respect for our culture, our stories, and our traditions. My dream was simple — to create something that would allow Wairangi’s memory to live on in whare/homes throughout Aotearoa and beyond. Through this mahi, I have found healing, strength, and connection, and I am honoured to share that journey with others through my mahi/work.
WAI Creationz is more than art — it is a reflection of aroha/love, loss, resilience, whānau, and whakapapa. Each creation holds its own meaning and carries a story from the heart.
Ngā mihi nui for supporting my journey and for allowing my taonga to become part of yours.
“Mate atu he tētēkura, ara mai he tētēkura.” When one fern frond falls, another rises in its place. This whakataukī speaks to both loss and renewal — a reminder that while those we love may pass on, their legacy lives on through us and through the generations that follow.
Mauri ora, Brenda Warren
WAI Creationz
Piripi Edwards
Naki-Mu Pounamu
Ko Wai Au?
Ko Taranaki rāua ko Kakepuku aku maunga Ko Aotea rāua ko Tainui aku waka Ko Oeo rāua ko Waipā aku awa Ko Ngāruahine rāua ko Ngāti Maniapoto aku iwi Ko Oeo rāua ko Rereamanu aku Marae Ko Piripi Edwards tōku ingoa Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.
Piripi Edwards ahau. Born in Taranaki, I come from a whānau who migrated south over 50 years ago, bringing with them the values, traditions and connection to culture that continue to shape who I am today.
The name Naki-mu Pounamu reflects my own journey. “Naki” honours my tūrangawaewae in Taranaki, while “Mu” represents my wife and her roots in Temuka. Together, the name symbolises the coming together of two places, two whānau, and one shared journey.
For the past 20 years I have been learning and developing the art of Māori carving, spending time on the West Coast alongside skilled and knowledgeable carvers who generously shared their expertise and passion. Those experiences taught me that carving is far more than shaping stone or wood—it is about patience, respect, storytelling, and creating taonga that carry meaning for generations.
While carving has always been my passion, life has taken me down another path professionally. For the past 25 years I have owned and operated my own business, which meant my carving often had to take a back seat to the demands of work and providing for my whānau. Even so, I never lost my love for the craft, continuing to learn and create whenever time allowed. As I now begin looking towards retirement, I am excited to dedicate more of my time to honing my skills, expanding my knowledge, and creating meaningful pounamu and carved taonga that honour our culture and the stories they represent.
Every piece I create is handcrafted with care, respect, and appreciation for the natural beauty of the materials. My hope is that each taonga finds a home where it will be treasured, worn with pride, and passed on through generations.
Carving is more than a hobby—it is a lifelong journey of learning, creating, and preserving the traditions of our tūpuna.
Ngā mihi nui, Piripi Edwards
Naki-mu Pounamu
Inspired by their legacy
We hope that by showcasing these incredible artist profiles, you will feel inspired by their talent and dedication. Follow their ongoing work and discover new creations that celebrate the rich tapestry of Māori culture. Each purchase supports these artists directly.