Tales of Taonga - The Kuki Airani Church Hats

Decorating the head is a significant and often tapu concept in Polynesia. In the Cook Islands today this ranges from using the natural flora and fauna to make head ei, to the beautifully woven hats.

This tradition has carried on to Kuki Airani communities in Aotearoa, who have used many new materials in weaving these hats for celebration and special occasions.

In this story two young Kuki Airani women explore the lives of their Pasifika mama’s in Ponsonby from the 1960’s and the hats they wore through the decades.