Celebrate Māori Language Week with vibrant colours from around Aotearoa

16 Sep 2021

Aotearoa New Zealand’s colourful, lush landscapes and fauna are second only to its vibrant culture. It is Māori Language Week this week – the perfect time to embrace te reo and learn more about the language. Māori Language Week has been celebrated since 1975, with schools, libraries and governments departments across the country participating in the week. Take a tour of Resene colours from around Aotearoa New Zealand to learn more about te reo and get some colour inspiration for your next renovation project. 

Wall and wall hanging in Resene Pohutukawa, table in Resene Alaska, large plate in Resene Sixth Sense, small plate in Resene Dapper and bowl and vase in Resene Time After Time. Project by Leigh Stockton. Image by Bryce Carleton. 

Resene Pōhutukawa is a spicy, rich whero (red). Inspired by Aotearoa’s Christmas tree, the Pōhutukawa, this deep hue is the perfect pop of colour for a feature wall or front door. The use of whero, or red, on the Māori flag is used to represent Te Whai Ao, the realm of coming into being.

Resene All Black provides a sophisticated background fence that will help flowerpots in Resene Dauntless, Resene Double Truffle, Resene Dali and Resene Chenin pop. Pallet in Resene Java. Project by Claudia Kozub. Image by Melanie Jenkins.

Resene All Black is an iconic Aotearoa New Zealand pango (black). Pango, or black, on the Māori flag represents Te Korekore, the realm of potential being or the darkness from which the world emerged. Resene All Black works well as an accent colour for upcycling furniture and is reminiscent of the gleaming volcanic rocks found around the cluster of maunga in central Te Ika a Maui, or North Island.

Resene Kowhai or Resene Tussock work wonderfully with warm summer colours. Background in Resene Spanish White with A4 draw down paint swatches in (from top left to bottom right) Resene Wood Bark, Resene Brown Sugar, Resene Putty, Resene Calico, Resene Rusty Nail, Resene Double Spanish White, Resene Tussock, Resene Bone and Resene Spanish White with vases in Resene Spanish White and Resene Brown Sugar (left), Resene Rusty Nail (centre) and Resene Tussock and Resene Calico (right). 

Resene Kōwhai is a rich, yellow ochre and is a Kiwi favourite. Te ura o te kōwhai is a common saying, meaning the glow of the kōwhai. Kōwhai not only refers to the beautiful native tree in te reo but also means yellow. A splash of Resene Kōwhai is a great way to revitalise a DIY or bring a touch of cheerfulness to your kitchen.

Spruce up your home with easy DIY décor and use colours from the land including Resene Koru, 
Resene Pacifika, Resene Woodland, Resene Black, Resene Dark Knight, Resene Lynchpin and Resene Half Sea Fog. Project and image by Fleur Thorpe.

Resene Koru is a fresh, clear and invigorating kākāriki, or green. It is reminiscent of lush green reflections in the flowing waters and streams of Te Wai Pounamu, or the South Island. The koru is an integral symbol in Māori art and carving and symbolises new life, growth and strength. Use Resene Koru in your bathroom to create a peaceful and relaxing oasis.

Whites work with everything and off-whites such as Resene Snow Drift are the perfect match for dark, moody blues. Background in Resene Half Raven with A4 drawdown paint swatches in (from right to left) Resene Cumin, Resene Coast, Resene Indian Ink, Resene White Pointer and Resene Cloud, jug vase in Resene Cumin, dish in Resene Coast and bid vase in Resene Half Raven. Lamp from Paper Plane, linen from Foxtrot Home. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston. Image by Melanie Jenkins.

Resene Snow Drift is a chalky porcelain mā, or white, with the bite of a crisp day in Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, the Southern Alps. Mā, or white on the Māori flag represents Te Ao Mārama, the realm of being and light. Create harmony and balance in your home by painting your walls in Resene Snow Drift with trim in Resene Black White for a bright, fresh interior.

Did you know?

The Resene Heritage colour collection includes a traditional Māori colour palette. For many years Resene has supported the restoration of many maraes and whare, and with the help of Māori ethnographer Wiremu Puke, Resene has created a range of colours that fit with traditional colours. Read more here

Published: 16 Sep 2021