He Waka Eke Noa

This shirt is made from a tea towels depicting daily life of the Māori, highlighting their prowess in the water through the war canoe. I sourced this from an elderly gentleman who picked this up while in New Zealand many years ago. 

The Māori worldview is grounded in connection—between people, land, ancestry, and spirit. This shirt is inspired by the Māori’s unwavering commitment to whakapapa (genealogy), and to the sacred act of carrying one’s ancestors forward through daily life. 

The Māori share something profound: a powerful sense of who they are, where they come from, and what they stand for. That spirit guided every step of this piece. The title of this shirt - He Waka Eke Noa - comes from a Māori proverb meaning "we are all in this together". Using the metaphor of a waka (canoe) to express unity, shared purpose, and collective responsibility in navigating life’s journey side by side.