Celebrating Leadership and Warmth: Te Korowai Aroha

I recently had the privilege of carving a unique piece from pale green, speckled Kōkopu Pounamu, designed as a korowai—a traditional Māori cloak. This taonga was commissioned for a remarkable teacher moving into significant leadership roles at a new kura. Her team wanted a gift that symbolised her profound impact and the warmth she brings to those around her.

A korowai is much more than a physical garment; it represents protection, strength, and the embrace of care and love. The same can be said for this carved Pounamu. It is named “Te Korowai Aroha”, meaning “The Cloak of Love.” The name reflects how this teacher’s approach to education and people envelops those she interacts with in warmth, kindness, and aroha. Her leadership feels like a korowai, wrapping others in support and nurturing their growth.

The Kōkopu Pounamu was the perfect stone for this piece. Its pale green hues and speckled patterns are a subtle but striking reminder of the richness of connection and the diversity of the people she has supported. Every speck and shade is a symbol of the lives she has touched and the impact she will continue to have in her new role.

Te Korowai Aroha is a tribute to this teacher’s mana, her ability to inspire, and her unwavering care for those she leads and teaches. It carries with it the aroha of her team, who wished to give her a taonga that would stay with her as a reminder of her strength, warmth, and the love of her community.

Creating this piece is a reminder of the powerful role educators play in shaping lives and communities. Te Korowai Aroha will carry her story and values into her next chapter.