WEarth

Ko Hīnātore

In between spaces of nature and green, dark and light, nature's patterns and perfection. That light. Always calling.

Ao Mārama - Light, Rākau - ExhibitionHarete7 November 2026earth water light stone, harakeke, frontpageComment

Harakeke

This is a plant that I have come to love over the past 20 years. I grew it in the West in the rainforest just below Taranaki maunga, where the weather was wet and cold often in winter.

Ao Mārama - LightClea Pettit7 November 2026Comment

Learning Through Observation

Gardening and being in nature has taught me to pause, to observe with curiosity, something I learnt as a child when I used to wander (wonder) through the bush alone…

Whenua - EarthClea Pettit7 November 2026Comment

Whaia Ngā Tauira

A rākau that I have come to love, that has grown so much in my garden over this last year is Whauwhaupaku.

Whenua - EarthClea Pettit7 November 2026Comment

Māhoe ki te ahi mārama e

I often think about how our ancestors were inspired by nature. Their connection to the environment was intricately woven with the roots of ancient trees.

Whenua - EarthClea Pettit7 November 2026LeavesComment

He Kōrero Harakeke

Harakeke reminds me of my mother’s hands; each line, embedded with stories. She is the resilient nurturer who stands in all weather.

Ao Mārama - Light, Rākau - Exhibition, Wai - Water, Whenua - EarthHarete7 November 2026harakeke, wai, water, tree dye, native tree, frontpageComment

Makawe

Growing up, we used to have this big grey couch in our sitting room. It was hard and patterned and losing its springs. And behind it, was yellow green wallpaper with distinct 70s patterns that seemed to translate into my clothes. I would probably wear a dress like that now if it was available!

Harete19 July 2026 Comments

Where You Are - Remembering

Where You Are - A book about my mother and me and dementia.

Made of Stars

I wrote this story over 10 years ago. I wanted to share my childhood experiences in a creative way that reflected my love of nature and growing up with the ngahere (forest) as my playground. As a child I was always searching and curious. The story shares some of my memories woven with a bit of magic!

Pukapuka - Books, Whenua - EarthHarete8 August 2025fern, storytelling, native trees, childhood memoriesComment

Koha Tū - A Special Gift

On Dec 31st 2010, I decided that I would paint a rock every day for 2011. If I did this, I would be nurturing my creativity and I would be able to share these special gifts, every day, with the world.

Kōhatu - Stone, Pukapuka - BooksHarete17 September 2024kohatu, painted rock, hand painted rock, booksComment

77 Days

77 Days is an upcoming book inspired by my commitment to writing 1,000 words daily during a winter house sit in 2023.

Pukapuka - BooksHarete19 July 2024inspiration, books, storytelling, writing, harakekeComment

Ko Wai Au - Who Am I

Ko Wai au? Who am I? From where do my waters flow and where shall they go to?

Water is wellbeing, water is life ,what is my purpose in life?

Wai - WaterHarete9 April 2024water, wai, ko wai au, digital storytelling, storytellingComment

Earth Water Light Stone

Connection to who we are as Māori is connected to place, land, water, sun, moon, stars. And when I ask myself, ko wai au? Who am I? I remember that I am wai, water.

Moeraki Boulders

Moeraki. It wasn’t so much the boulders themselves that struck me. It was how I felt when I saw them. And the space around them that intrigued me.

Kōhatu - StoneHarete23 June 2023kohatu, moeraki, moerakiboulders, tewaipounamuComment

Storytelling Through Books

When I think about books today, especially those that are handmade, created from scratch, I reflect on what they mean to me.

Pukapuka - Books, Whenua - EarthHarete16 June 2023artists books, bookmaking, storytellingComment

Te Kore Series Toru

From te kore, the space of nothingness, all things are possible.

Rākau - ExhibitionHarete22 November 2022

Creating with Aotearoa Native Tree Dyes

I see art works that have been created, not necessarily as finished works, but conversations that are ongoing.

Wai - WaterHarete18 August 2022native trees, aotearoa, RākauComment

Papermaking at Anakoha

I love creating wharariki paper. It is so strong, just like it's whanaunga (relation) harakeke, but much easier to process because the leaves are already soft.

Wai - Water, Whenua - EarthHarete1 April 2022frontpageComment