When people receive a korowai, they often see the finished piece first.
The beauty.
The detail.
The presence it carries.
But what they don’t always see is everything that happens before that moment.
Creating a korowai is not quick work.
Every piece takes time, patience, creativity, and intention. There are many stages behind the scenes—developing concepts, selecting materials, refining details, shaping the design, and making sure everything comes together in a way that feels right.
Some parts are repetitive.
Some parts are challenging.
And some parts simply can’t be rushed.
That’s the nature of creating by hand.
At Korowai by Hiria, our work is also shaped by a contemporary approach to design.
While we hold deep respect for the meaning and significance behind korowai, we’re passionate about creating pieces that reflect the present—modern expressions that people can connect with in today’s world.
Each design carries its own identity.
Some are bold.
Some are minimal.
Some challenge expectations of what people think a korowai should look like.
That creativity is an important part of who we are.
We love exploring contemporary design elements, different textures, silhouettes, and ideas while still creating with intention and care.
Many of the korowai we create are worn during deeply meaningful moments—graduations, weddings, celebrations, milestones, and events that become part of a whānau story.
Knowing that adds another layer of responsibility to the process.
These are not pieces created without thought.
They carry meaning long before they are worn.
People sometimes ask how long a korowai takes to make, but the answer is never as simple as a number.
Because it’s not just about hours.
It’s also about years of learning, refining skills, developing ideas, and continuing to evolve creatively through the work itself.
A lot of what goes into each piece is unseen.
Behind every korowai is also planning and structure.
Materials need to be sourced. Orders need to be managed. Timelines need to be balanced. As Korowai by Hiria continues to grow, we’ve also had to build stronger systems and processes behind the scenes to support that growth properly.
Balancing creativity with business is something we’re constantly learning.
At the end of it all, the most important thing is that every korowai leaves our hands with care.
Not rushed.
Not mass produced.
Not treated like “just another order.”
Because every piece represents something personal to the person receiving it—and that matters to us.
This is some of what goes into a korowai.
Not just the visible work, but the whakaaro, creativity, and intention behind it too.
Ngā mihi,
Hiria