Kahu kānga

This kahu kānga (corn husk cloak) was woven by contemporary artist and weaver Tangimoe Clay using whītau (muka), corn husk, and prepared harakeke (New Zealand flax).

Tangimoe wove her cloak using tradional methods, but her use of corn husks was inspired by the cornfields surrounding her marae (tribal meeting place) in Ōpōtiki, Bay of Plenty.

Respect of the environment is important to Tangimoe, and this cloak crafted from natural plant materials, is her response to the issue of sustainability. Tangimoe also advocates for the use of kete (woven bags) instead of single-use plastic bags, especially for food gathering.

"My concept is about no more plastic ... and to use what has been handed down from my forefathers"

Tangimoe Clay, 2019