A community-powered celebration of art, ecology, and storytelling
Imagine Aotearoa recloaked in native forest, and where all native birds and creatures has a safe habitat …
Recloaking Papatūānuku is an invitation to artists, conservationists, and communities to work together to honour and heal our land - one thread at a time.
Rooted in the rich symbolism of the cloak — a garment of mana, protection and pride — this project brings together fibre and fabric art, local conservation stories, and a shared vision of regeneration.
And we want you to be part of it.
The Vision
In the creative, conservation-minded region of Nelson/Tasman, Recloaking Papatūānuku combines:
A 3D art competition and exhibition, featuring works in fibre and fabric that explore the theme of “recloaking” the land.
A collection of real-life local restoration stories from individuals and groups working to revive native forest, birdsong and biodiversity.
Our Aims
To uplift cultural narratives that honour the land
To strengthen public connection to ecological restoration
To build bridges between creative and conservation communities
To shine a spotlight on the mahi of grassroots projects
To inspire future collaborations across Aotearoa
Why 'Recloaking'?
Across cultures, cloaks protect, confer honour, and wrap us in identity and warmth. In te ao Māori, kākahu (cloaks) are taonga — woven treasures of beauty and meaning.
This project reimagines that tradition, using the cloak as a powerful metaphor for restoring the land, recognising its mana, and recommitting to its care. It is a call to action — and a call to artists.
What's happening?
A call to artists is coming soon. If you’re a fabric artist, a weaver, sewer, felter or embroiderer — we’d love you to create something bold, tactile and meaningful
We’re also collecting stories of local conservation heroes and projects — to be exhibited alongside the artworks
The project will culminate in an exhibition and celebration, plus regional displays and public engagement across Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay
Be part of it!
Whether you’re an artist, conservationist, curious supporter, or just someone who wants to help recloak the land — we want to hear from you.
Register your interest now to receive the call for artists, stay in the loop, or offer your skills and support.
Your interest is the first thread in a much bigger cloak.
Walk with us
Let’s stitch a future, together — a future where creativity, conservation, and community go hand in hand.
"Let’s recloak Papatūānuku."
