A huge Mihi to Claire Wigley and Jessie Brodie, fashion and textile teachers from Spotswood College in, New Plymouth, Taranaki.

They visited me at Massey University school of design and engaged in the learning of mataurunga Māori through the context of customary and contemporary Korowai making.

We had some really good Korero regarding the definition of a Korowai and its traditional materials and techniques. We also looked at the evolution of Māori arts forms and how society views the Korowai.

Claire and Jess specifically learnt how to create a contemporary Korowai and the vocabulary, Karakia, Mihi Mihi, Whakapapa and Pepeha that joins it. They developed a project for their new level 1 course and will gift their finished pieces to the school.

We also got a chance to speak with Angela Kilford (head of Textiles) about all things Korowai and how we are moving forward with our inclusion of Te Ao Māori in all aspects of society.

A huge thank you also to Massey University for allowing us to use a creative space in their fashion department.

A colleague and I travelled down to Wellington from Spotswood College, Taranaki, to work with and learn from Nan around the contemporary korowai. Nan has put so much thought into her kaupapa, and took the time to explain the whakapapa and intricate details around the traditional korowai, and her mahi around its contemporary korowai counterpart. Our lesson was full of insightful conversations and collaborative working. The end result was rewarding, beautiful and unique to the maker, with our own aroha sewn into the korowai.

Both myself and Jessie are excited to take this learning back to our school, and start working with our students to create a korowai for the school. We are planning on running a junior and senior Comtempory Korowai class in 2025 with our students.

I am especially looking forward to the relationship building and trust that will be built between teacher and student, with such a meaningful kaupapa, where both the teacher and the student can learn together.

Thank you Nan for your time, patience, aroha and laughter, it was a remarkable day that I was honoured to be part of.

Claire Wigley – Spotswood College