Te Kōkako is whanau to the saddleback and Huia. A beautiful songbird that has sadly declined in numbers. Named after their beautiful song, Kōkako is considered sacred by many Māori.
In Māori myth, the kōkako filled its wattles with water and brought it to Maui as he fought the sun. Maui rewarded the bird by making its legs long and slender, enabling it to bound through the forest with ease. Te Kōkako is wearing a kakahu ribbonwood flora laced with a taniko border.
Tania Tupu
Tania Tupu (Ngāti Porou) has been a jewellery designer since 2006, after previously representing the Tall Ferns-NZ Women’s Basketball team from 1992-2004. Her contemporary work is inspired by Māori and The Pacific Islands. Each piece is individually handcrafted with 3 dimensional art and carefully thought out, even down to choosing the perfect chain to match her necklace's original designs. Her pieces are created in the beautiful Titahi Bay.