Mahinarangi Edwards

Mahinarangi Edwards nee Gray’s (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu) beautifully beaded earrings in the gallery. Mahinarangi is very intentional about how she designs and creates each pair of earrings, from handpicking the highest quality glass beads, stones and gems to beading them into intricate patterns, each with their own significant meaning. As a passionate protector of wildlife from our Taiao, in her ‘Nationally Critical’ series (pictured above, bottom row), she depicts rare animals such as the Tara Iti Manu (Fairy Tern), Aihi Māui (Dolphin), and Pekapeka (Long-tailed Bat), as a response to the dwindling number of our most protected native species. A portion of the proceeds from her sales are donated to the Endangered Species Foundation. Every pair of earrings is carefully and thoughtfully handmade, drawing inspiration from traditional patterns found on tukutuku panels, such as pātiki which represents the flounder, a symbol of manaakitanga and abundance. You can find Mahinarangi at the Ōtaki Market most Sundays on the Main Highway, otherwise we have her whakakai in the gallery or online via the link below.