Egypt Moeke

“I have resided in Lower Hutt, Wellington, for most of my life but most of my whānau live in Parawera, Te Awamutu. Although we didn’t see each other often, we would reunite during times of celebration and sorrow. Whether it be a wedding, birthday or Tangi, whānau gather from near and far to be one again.

An important part of any celebration in my whānau is Kai (Food) and the process of gathering it together. I remember for my Nanny Ohorere’s 70th birthday, I was at the marae with all my cousins I hadn’t seen in years. My nan told all my uncles and aunties that it was time for us to go down by the river to catch some kai for the next day. My uncles took us down to the river and showed us how to set up Hinaki (eel traps) and how to look for watercress. We stayed there for hours and returned the next day to see the catch. We prepped and cooked the kai together and after all the formalities are done, everyone enjoys the kai that our whānau gathered.

The thin strips of fabric on the bodice represent the muka (flax fibres) that Hinaki are made from, and the shape of the front bodice emulates the silhouette of Hinaki. The strips are then woven across the centre front of the bodice and continue towards the side seams to create a basket effect. The lower half of the dress stops at knee length with a knotted net from knee to mid calf to symbolise the eel caught in the trap.”

Resene Whitecliffe Colour of Fashion clothing - 2023

Photography by Jonathan Kraettli

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