Te Ara Whakarei
Te Ara Whakarei
Te Ara Whakarei

Kriz Hema

Ngati Kahungunu, Ngāi Tuhoe, Ngati Porou, Ngati Tuwharetoa

Kriz Hema

Collective(s):

Born & raised in Newtown, Te Whanganui a Tara, I whakapapa to Ngati Kahungunu, Ngāi Tuhoe, Ngati Porou, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Panyu, Guangdong. I've been a Ringatoi my entire life & know no differently. This pathway was chosen for me by my tūpuna before I knew it & denied it so many times not realising. The epiphany has now come to fruition & I fully embrace this taonga & accept these traits.

My background is in fashion design and won the Benson & Hedges NZ Young Designer award in 1995 before it was rehomed by Te Papa Tongarewa.

I'm now an established Kairaranga who specialises in designing & making Kākahu Taonga-Tuku-Iho, Designer Kete, Bespoke Jewellery, Art Pieces & Accessories.

I describe my design aesthetic as contemporary using traditional construction techniques, which means my kākahu are fully & painstakingly hand made with aho & whatu.

My latest kete collection called “CAMO KETE” was exhibited at Pātaka in Pari-rua in 2024.

Championing the finest of Māori creativity, past, present and future. Championing the finest of Māori creativity, past, present and future. Championing the finest of Māori creativity, past, present and future. Championing the finest of Māori creativity, past, present and future.