Maori Themed Kites

Why Maori themed kites?
Once you have travelled to overseas kite festivals you quickly realise that there are many beautiful and amazing kite designs. Beautiful graphics on a kite soon get lost amongst the many similar or better designs in the sky.

Depicting New Zealands Maori legends and art on our kites seemed an appropriate way to differentiate ourselves. The very positive reactions of expat New Zealanders (Maori and pakeha) to our two Maui kites at the Bondi Kite Festival in Australia confirmed to us that more Maori themed kites would be appreciated. Bold and colourful yet relatively simple graphics are best for stunning kite displays.

Fortunately for us the graphics in some of Peter Gossages childrens books on Maori legends are perfect for making into kites. The reaction of children to a picture they recognise makes it all worthwhile.

These are photos of kites depicting various Maori legends and themes.

Please click on a photo thumbnail to see it in display size.

Battle of Mountains	Featherlite	Maori Gods	Maui Fishing
Maui Slowing Sun	Naku	Ngauruhoe	Pihanga
Putuaki	Ra	Ruapehu	Ruatiki
Taranaki	Tauhara	Tongariro

Background to the above kites.

• Battle of the mountains deltas - based on the childrens book by Peter Gossage telling the legend of the Battle of the Mountains . Graphics sewn by Ray and kites made by Rosemary.
  Central North Island mountains are: Tongariro (father), Pihanga (mother), Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe (children).
  Mountains scattered around North Island as result of losing fight with Tongariro are: Taranaki, Tauhara and Putuaki.
• Featherlight - Graphic is of a Maori kite called Manukahu. Made by Rosemary.
• Maori gods della porta stack - The gods are again from a childrens book by Peter Gossage called In the Beginning. Two graphics by Rosemary and the rest done by Ray.
• Maui capturing the sun - based on the children's book How Maui Slowed the Sun by Peter Gossage.. Made by Rosemary.
• Maui fishing up the North Island - Composite graphics developed by Rosemary.
• Naku - an original kite design made by Ray.
• Ra - A mock foil featuring the sun (Ra)