Earrings - Hinetakurua - Wood

The kōrero (story) behind this earring design: Hinetakurua is known as the Winter maiden and is the wife of Tamanuiterā (the Sun) along with her sister Hineraumati. Hinetakurua is the daughter of Tangaroa akiukiu and is a sister to Hineraumati. She is personified by the star Sirius, which is the brightest star in the night sky. Her realm is the ocean, her task is to produce and conserve fish with her father.

Together with Tamanuiterā, Hinetakurua has a number of children, and each of them is connected to the afflictions of winter including frost, snow, cold winds and the hard frozen earth.  All of these children are stars that are located near Hinetakurua. When they are seen on the horizon before the rising of the sun, winter is upon the earth and the children come down from the heavens bringing the many faces of winter.

This design is based on the letter 'H' to represent Hinetakurua's name.

• These earrings measure 30mm x 70mm.
• Gravograph.
• Silver Plated (NF) Hooks.
• It is recommended that you care and gently handle your items, treat them like the taonga (treasure) they are. When cleaning, use a damp cloth and let air dry.

Nichola Te Kiri

Friends of Māori artist and designer Nichola Te Kiri began to notice a growing collection of inspired contemporary jewellery gathering dust in her cabin studio. In November 2011 they took action and created a Facebook group as an avenue to promote and sell the taonga (treasures) Nichola was developing. Word got out: interest grew and demand for pieces increased. Continuing to create and produce beautiful collections - all of Nicholas' pieces are totally handcrafted and made at home, and each design honours Aotearoa’s heritage and soul, with a contemporary Maori design twist.