A thread about skill, knowledge, pride..... And complete ignorance I'm proud of the 38 years my husband Sam has dedicated to his art (Whakairo) and the years he spent learning under my dad. Sam works hard. Te Ara Tupua could be seen to be his legacy piece. It will outlast him

My daughter Ellie is back on the paintbrush

Ki taku uma piri ai - a patchwork quilt I made in honour of my mum, Erenora

My little brother, Len designed this awning at the Petone end of Te Ara Tupua. He based it on a Manu tukutuku our mum made and had suspended over the drive leading to her and dads art studios. Very proud of the bro for remembering our mum this way. She would be flapping her Angel wings 💛

So proud of husband Sam. The photos I've seen online of his carvings along Te Ara Tupua are stunning 😍

When Sam was made redundant, builder son and his tradie siblings built Sam a carving space. Today, builder son started carving with his dad. Sam is happy. I'm a little jealous. I thought this son was going to be my weaver. I'm happy for them though. Does my heart good

Dawn ceremony - blessing of Te Ara Tupua. I'm so proud of my Sam. Today, I saw his carving for the first time. It made me catch my breath. This is the last piece my dad helped Sam design. He would be so proud of his son in law 💙

My son Taonui - Metal fabricator by trade - Artist at heart created a Toki. His little brother Te Kurapa (Electrican by trade - Artist by heart) did the lashing

Memories of lockdown 2020: Every year that this video has popped up in my memories, I'm reminded of the time I spent cocooned in the 'nest' with my family

My Ellie has added to her range of handpainted products Plumber by trade. Artist by blood

At one of my dads Marae (Hirangi, in Turangi) Weaving the Kākahu to honour him. As I weave. I look at his thumb print, that is now forever on my hand and know he's with me in all that I do. I weave, I breathe, I remember, I honour.

I've returned home to Hirangi Marae 4 times over past 10 months to teach my cousins to weave Pureke.This was the scene yesterday. The Kaihoe of the Waka my dad carved for his people will be clothed in these Pureke. I also had time to weave the cloak honouring my dad

I actually did have a big fat cry - adding a few tears to this Kākahu. Then, I just got on with it. My hands found their rythym quickly and I'm onto row six. I'm happy with that. Papa would be happy that I'm not being a sook all day

April 17th 2020 - Aotearoa was in lockdown, which I didn't mind at all. I had the largest piece of Tāniko I've ever woven, to complete for TePapa Tongarewa, National Museum of NZ. I started her in 2019. Completed her in August 2020.

I just checked out my Facebook memories. This time last year I was deep in grief of losing my dad and I had found solace in creating stars with Hue (gourd) lamps. Papa taught me to work with Hue when I was a teenager. He made me fall in love with them #blessed

He was the first man to hold my hand and he has never let go 💕💞

Weaving for whānau

Today at the opening of the Wellington City Council building, I saw a Kākahu being worn. A Kākahu that I had woven years ago. It was like seeing a long lost friend. I whispered "hello"

One body....many faces

I reach into the pile of aho - leftover from all of the Kakahu I've woven since my mum died 20 years ago. I've been saving them for this very Kākahu - the first one I'm weaving since my dad died. I reach into the pile of aho - like some kind of 'lucky dip'. 1/3

It's been raining all day so there's plenty of water around but roadworks outside our house has brought a 'no water to our house' situation. Luckily the Waiwhetu aquifer is just across the road. No hot shower tonight though. At least Im not homeless. I'm warm & dry #blessed

A year ago I completed this little backpack with a Taaniko insert. I've waited a year for someone to come along to give it to. The right person never showed so I'm going to auction it off. I'll put details up this week sometime

All I've ever grown in my life is flax and weeds (oh, and a family), so seeing these hue / gourds grow outside my weaving room window brings me much joy. Every day, they've brought me joy 💚

Sam & I are proud of all of our five kidults & their creative pursuits that they do in their 'spare' time.Our youngest son has a particular love of bone carving.He's an Electrician by trade-An artist at heart 💙 He was asked by his cousin,Matiu to make him a Toki. Here it is

esterday morning, Sam and I attended the dawn ceremony - opening the new MFAT building in Wellington. Sam stands under the Pare. Centre part carved by my dad. It needed to be extended to suit wider door and was done so by Sam and Sonny Davis. Im proud of him

I completed the challenge I set for myself

It's a Wintery day here in Waiwhetu - perfect for Taaniko and TV 🙂 I've set myself a challenge #Taaniko #MaoriWeaving #I_Weave_I_Breathe

Celebrating the anniversary of the opening of New Zealands National Museum - Te Papa Tongarewa - with a video filmed by Capital Kiwi. This video features a Kahukiwi woven by my mum, Erenora Puketapu-Hetet, especially for Te Papa

Serendipity in two parts I am overwhelmed Here's part one

So much to do. So little time

Taaniko, taaniko, taaniko and a little bit more taaniko

I'm off to New Mexico tomorrow. I've personalised my suitcase. It should make it easier to spot on the baggage carousel 😊

Each year on Christmas Eve, Sam and I celebrate Christmas with our kidults and mokopuna. Then they can spend Christmas Day with their in laws. It was a beautiful day in Waiwhetu - shared, in love, with my darlings. Sam, I, and our whānau wish you a safe and happy Christmas season. Aroha nui 💚❤️

'Te Auaha' (an educational institution in Wellington) turned the lights off and closed its doors for the last time and returned to me, a photo and acknowledgement to my mum - that was in a room named after her ❤️ I'm going to put it in my weaving room 🙂

A friend alerted me to this auction on Trade Me. I went there straight away and bought it

Sam and three of our sons are playing in a golf tournament tomorrow. The name of their team is.... 'Green eggs and Sam' 😁

My mokopuna Mahaki and Arahia finding the magic in 'shadow watching'

He was born four days after we buried my dad. He was my first smile. My life was blessed by him - at the right time. 💙 Today, my darling moko - Louis TeRangikaiamokura celebrated his first birthday by taking his first steps

Tama is home 🥺

Our Tama was the most beautiful and Good-est boy 🥹😢💔

Our goodest boy, Tama, has cancer. He's now on palliative care. Hand feeding is the vibe now. Our poor Tumtums 😪💔

I've started a new Kākahu. The first one I've woven since my dad, Te Rangikaiamokura, died. I'm weaving it in honour of him and it will go to my mokopuna, born a few days after we buried dad. My moko carries his koros name Louis Te Rangikaiamokura 💙

The whānau have gone to a Wedding. I couldn't go (I stayed home to look after my cancer ridden dog Tama), but I sent my love - wrapped up in a gift

I've completed the Kete Taaniko I've been working on and have added it to the set. They're for my daughter Erenora and my four daughters in law - Olivia, Ayla, Tara, and Chelsea. #Taaniko #MySignatureOmbre #Whanau

An oldie but a favourite. A lucky shot. Right place (my deck) Right time

At our fave air bnb on Wgtns south coast (past Red rocks) I can't just do nothing all day so I made this Hue (gourd) lamp. I'll leave it for our hosts

This photo of my mokopuna, Maia, popped up in my memories - reminding me to get it printed and framed and hung up in my studio. I'll name it "How to grow an artist" 💜

Making waves

Three down, two to go #Taaniko #MySignatureOmbre

Today, I hid away from the World - the World I'm feeling overwhelmed by. From 9am until 6pm I found solace in my studio (aka Ellies old room turned into my weaving room)