While rivers carve their own path, the many landscapes of our natural environment influence the flow of water in the ways that it twists and turns, presents obstacles, challenges and changes in terrain - reflective of the pathways, states and forms we take and adapt to on our journey of life. Represented by the aronui pattern adorning the side borders, this blanket is an encouragement to ‘stay the course’, to remain steadfast and true to our core purpose through the many phases; stillness, flow, regeneration, trials, solitude and celebration. Ngā Pūwaiwaha embellishes the main border with the traditional waharua motif reflecting the diverse environments and people we engage with that support our alignment and growth. The word ‘pūwaiwaha’ also describes a delta where a river slows and deposits ‘parakiwai’ (sediment, sand, silt, clay) before it enters a larger body of water like a lake or ocean. This transition slowly accumulates, building new fertile soil to sustain life while it branches into smaller channels and tributaries to continue its journey. The ngā pūwaiwaha design acknowledges the collective benefit of interactions, events and experiences that allow (or gently force) us to slow down, cleanse, rejuvenate and replenish ourselves, resulting in new environments for seeds of change to flourish. A recognition of how events or decisions upstream affect the decisions, experiences and actions downstream. Ka waipuke ana te awa, ka mauria mai he oneone parakiwai o ngā whenua mōmona o runga, ka rukea ki runga i tō mātau whenua hai whakamōmona. When this river flooded it brought down silt of the rich lands upstream and deposited it on our land to enrich it. The central motif within our main decorative border is reflective of ‘te puwaha’ or ‘ngutu awa’ the point of emergence, the river mouth, where the river meets the sea. Here we have woven ‘Te Kupenga Hao’ the full net, as the net set at the river mouth at the right time catches a bounty big enough to feed the entire village, the use of ornate ‘kura pātiki’ motifs reflect the diverse and widespread benefits our journey brings to others. Colours reflective of the abundance and life-giving properties of wai are woven throughout this blanket design as Kōawaawa (blue) Parakiwai (clay). To find out more about the inspiration for this blanket, head to our journal Dimensions 134 cm x 200 cm Designed by Josh and Whakaawa Te Kani
