Matariki 2016 - Kete

Single $1.00 'Cori Marsters' self-adhesive stamp.

At 11 years old Cori trained in the art of tāniko (to embellish) with his kuia (grandmother) Gail Shaw. Instrumental in Cori’s foray into whatu (warp and weft weaving), she taught him to extract flax fibre and spin by hand. His kete tāniko is reminiscent of a genre of basket created around the early 1900s. Executed to the edge of excellence using natural vegetable dyes and threads, the niho taniwha (serpent’s teeth) and waewae parerā (ducks' feet) are the focal patterns.

Single $1.00 'Pip Devonshire' self-adhesive stamp.

Pip began weaving in 1986 and it is no surprise she is a natural. Her kuia Rangimahora Reihana-Mete and Ranginui Parewahawaha Leonard were renowned for their expertise in raranga (sinestral and dextral) and whatu, with a penchant for blending new ideas with traditional forms. Pip also displays a naturalness for and ease in creating mixed traditional and non-traditional forms. She has elevated her kete whiri (basket with plaited bottom) from being practical and functional to sculptural and three-dimensional.

Single $1.80 'Te Atiwei Ririnui' self-adhesive stamp.

Taught by his koroua (elder) who instilled in him a love for this art form, Te Atiwei thrives on aspiring to scale the summits of excellence in raranga (plaiting) and whatu (twining). The combination of his passion and drive to excel is what makes him a formidable weaver. The poutama (male lineage) design is difficult to execute and here, Te Atiwei displays mastery and control of the form.

Single $2.20 'Audra Potaka' self-adhesive stamp.

Weaving since 1998 and immensely proud of her Ngāti Mutunga heritage, Audra experimented, creating a unique design embodying her maunga (mountain), Taranaki. Its non-compliance with a symmetrical form displays subtle nuances of peaks. In addition to Taranaki, toroa (royal albatross) feathers are subtly placed, providing balance. The two symbols in this kete epitomise the narrative of an enduring people, making it unique and distinctive. Audra acknowledges Matthew McIntyre Wilson, weaver and jeweller of Taranaki and Ngā Mahanga, who became a source of inspiration during the weaving of this kete.

Single $2.70 'Matthew McIntyre Wilson' self-adhesive stamp.

Matthew has been working with Māori weaving techniques and forms for a number of years, having been inspired by weaver and friend Rangi Kiu. Matthew has become renowned amongst the weaving fraternity for weaving kete from silver and copper retrieved from discarded materials. While the materials often present a perfect consistent gauge, it is his mastery of the aramoana (navigate the ocean) design, and designs in general, that makes his work exciting and exemplary.

Single $3.30 'Sonia Snowden' self-adhesive stamp.

Sonia is a popular, experienced and respected weaver in te ao Māori. Suffice to say her delicate pieces are nothing short of excellent. The name of her kete is Tātai whetu ki te rangi, clusters of stars in the heavens. It is an outstanding example of finesse and femininity, making an extremely difficult and complex design look fluid and simple, elevating the kete to the precipice of brilliance.

Designed by Rangi Kipa and Roy McDougall, the presentation pack was a visually stunning collectable, and featured all of the six kete in their full glory. It was written by Karl Rangikawhiti Leonard and brings the story of kete to life in both English and te reo. Karl is a skilled and highly respected weaver who holds two master's degrees and has been a Fulbright Scholar in resident in Montana, the United States. Contained within the pack was the full set of stamps, the miniature sheet and the first day cover.

Still available to purchase. Click here.