14/09/2025
✨50 Years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori ✨
He taonga tuku iho te reo Māori.
For 50 years, Aotearoa has celebrated Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – a movement that began with just a small group of voices and has grown into a nationwide celebration of our reo, our culture, and our identity.
At Kāuru, te reo Māori is at the heart of everything we do – from the resources we create, to the stories we share, to the futures we dream of for our tamariki and mokopuna.
This week, we celebrate not only the past 50 years of reo revitalisation, but the next 50. Together, we carry the vision that te reo Māori will not just survive, but thrive – in our homes, our kura, our workplaces, and our communities.
Kia kaha te reo Māori. Kia kaha tātou. 💬🌿
01/09/2025
Happy Koroneihana Week!🌿
This year is especially historic as it marks the first Koroneihana of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po. A year on from her coronation, we honour her leadership, the legacy of the Kīngitanga, and the spirit of kotahitanga that continues to bring our people together.
The week of events kicks off today with Ngā Kawe Mate o Tainui waka, a time to honour and remember those who have passed.
Stay tuned to the Koroneihana Facebook and YouTube channels for livestreams and coverage throughout the week. Pai mārire🤚
Te Koroneihana Tuatahi o Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po
The people of Tainui Waka and Iwi across the motu are preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of the Koroneihana of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po at Turangawaewae Marae next week.
Te Arikinui was crowned the Maaori monarch after the death of her father, Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII one year ago, and she has been in a state of mourning since then.
Kiingitanga spokesperson, Rukumoana Schaafhausen, said there is great anticipation and excitement about the Koroneihana celebrations for Te Arikinui who is the eighth monarch since the establishment of the Kiingitanga movement in 1858.
She said: “Te Arikinui will celebrate the life and legacy of her late father and reaffirm his vision of Kotahitanga. Guided by the values inherited from her parents and her tuupuna, Te Arikinui is acutely aware of the challenges facing te iwi Maaori in a rapidly changing world.
“Empowering rangatahi, strengthening whaanau resilience, and upholding Mana Motuhake are important aspirations for Te Arikinui.”
As is custom, the first two days of Koroneihana will be dedicated to remembering loved ones who have died in the past year - ngaa kawe mate o Tainui waka and ngaa kawe mate o te motu.
Day three – Thursday 4 September 2025 - will acknowledge the historical and enduring whanaungatanga connections between Kiingitanga and the Pacific nations. Pacific leaders attending Koroneihana include:
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HRH Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, Tonga
Kaumaiti Nui Travel Tou Ariki, High Chief and President of the House of Ariki, Cook Islands
HRH Ariki Teriihinoiatua Pomare, Tahiti
HRH Prince Quentin Kuhio Kawananakoa and HRH Prince Riley Kawananakoa, Hawaii
Na Gone Turaga Bale na Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua ko Lau, Tui Lau - Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara - Paramount Chief and traditional leader, Province of Lau, Fiji.
Government and political party leaders will also be among those attending on day three.
Day four – Friday 5 September 2025 - is Te Raa Koroneihana o Te Arikinui, the anniversary of her rising up one year ago. Te Arikinui will deliver her kauwhau to the motu - her first as Te Arikinui - at 12.30pm.
Further Koroneihana highlights include:
The arrival of Te Ara Maurei, the jawbone of a bull s***m whale which died and was washed ashore in 2016. Originally intended as a gift for the late Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu from the eight iwi of Te Tauihu, the kauae was gifted to Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po earlier this year. It has resided in Nelson since then to await the Koroneihana.
The formal handing over of the mauri of Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival from Te Kaahui Maunga to Waikato who will host the next festival in 2027.
Each afternoon session of Koroneihana will feature kapa haka performances from groups representing other iwi and Tainui waka, and entertainment.
A free outdoor concert starting 3pm Friday afternoon and Saturday 6 September 2025 will close out Koroneihana celebrations.
Te Koroneihana Tuatahi o Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po
Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 September 2025, Turangawaewae Marae, Ngaaruawaahia.
11/08/2025
Precision. Strength. Unity.
We were recently approached by Hilti New Zealand to design a custom set of trophies for their awards ceremony — designs that not only reflected their bold brand identity, but could also stand alone as individual acknowledgements of excellence and come together as one cohesive form.
Hilti is a global leader in tools, technology, and services for the construction industry — and their Aotearoa branch continues that legacy with a strong culture of excellence, collaboration, and people-first thinking.
It was a pleasure to work alongside their team to bring this kaupapa to life — not just as part of their awards celebration, but woven into their wider brand story.
We’re also deeply encouraged to see more organisations embracing Māori design values and cultural inclusion in their branding. It’s more than a visual choice — it’s a reflection of the future we’re building, together.
05/08/2025
Our names carry our stories. Our brands carry our values.
At Kāuru Creative, we’re proud to support kura on their journey to rebranding with Māori names, narratives, and design systems that reflect their identity.
We’re often approached by schools seeking the same — to create a brand that authentically reflects who they are, where they stand, and the kaupapa they uphold.
We recently worked with 💙💛🖤St Claudine Thevenet School in Wainuiomata as they took courageous steps to align their visual identity with their evolving kaupapa. This is more than just visual — it’s transformational. A reflection of tino rangatiratanga.
We’re honoured to be part of this kaupapa — and excited to see more kura stepping into their power.
05/08/2025
Feel the intangible. See the invisible. Believe in the impossible.
At Kāuru, we believe rangatiratanga isn’t just a word — it’s a way of showing up. It's about being visible (kanohi kitea), truly listening (taringa whakarongo), and moving with humility and purpose (ngākau mahaki).
Our Tumu Whakarae, Te Whatanui Winiata, was recently invited as a keynote speaker at the Te Tipu ki te Āpōpō leadership kaupapa for the kaimahi of Te Kura Pounamu – The Correspondence School. He presented on the power of Leadership, Culture, and Collaboration — sharing insights on how to lead with vision, serve with humility, and unite through kōrero.
We look forward to future engagements with such a values-driven and impactful organisation.
