WEarth

He Whakairoiro Taiao

Recently I’ve been reflecting on the research I’ve done to find the dye potential of our native trees and I came across this newsletter I sent out to my supporters. six years ago. It made me realise how much I have already achieved.

Harete10 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 Pettit8 November 2026Comment

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

Creating With Light

Light can change the energy and feel of an image.

How we approach a subject will determine whether we get an image that sings to us, or an image that merely shows what the subject is.

Harete7 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

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, trees that reach deep into the earth, whose branches stretched to infinite potential in amongst the stars and ever changing moods of the moon…

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. I remember a bitter winter below my mountain Taranaki, I laid my harakeke to rest on the ground and when spring arrived, new life had emerged where I had left it!

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. This is an excerpt from the book which launched August 8th 2026 at Te Papa during Photobook NZ festival book fair.

Reflections in Life

In a world full of contrasts and contradictions, I’m sitting here on my laptop wondering, what is worth writing when everything feels uncertain? And how did I get to 50 already?

Whenua - Earth, Ao Mārama - LightHarete14 April 2026storytelling, reflectionsComment

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.

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

Koromiko

This plant with many variations grows on land and beside the sea. Ki uta, ki tai, it reflects the movement and leaf pattern of this plant and the medicinal action it performs in opposite directions.

Harete16 June 2024Comment

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.