Designing for an abundant future
The kaupapa of Kahu Creative is about designing for long-term abundance — for people, place and future generations.
Our vision is to support the creation of multiple self-sustaining papakāinga across Aotearoa — for our tamariki, our whānau, and other whānau ready to plan for the long term.
This future does not begin with land development alone.
It begins at home.
Even when we are renting.
Even before we return to whenua.
Self-sustaining futures start with how we think, live and organise our everyday lives, and grow outward into whenua, communities and papakāinga.
KAHU CREATIVE STUDIO.
Whenua + Tangata design
Kahu Creative Studio focuses on whenua design at all scales — from individual homes to papakāinga, marae, whenua blocks, public spaces and developments.
Our work begins with whenua analysis and long-term strategy, and extends into design that considers:
whenua, wai and ecological systems
whakapapa and cultural context
how whānau move through and use space
intergenerational outcomes
Using our internal strategy matrix, we help whānau, hapū, iwi and organisations move from aspiration into clear, long-term planning.
Mahi-toi is embedded as part of this process — informed by whenua and story, not added as decoration.
KAHU CREATIVE KĀKAHU.
Materials, products and regenerative innovation
Kahu Creative Kaakahu Limited exists to explore regenerative materials, products and systems that support long-term wellbeing for people and whenua.
Through this arm we develop:
bio-earth and regenerative material concepts
clothing, tools and everyday products
systems that support self-sufficiency and abundance
Our ORAIA bio-earth paver concept was awarded First Overall Winner in the Taniwha Den (Kohinga Koha 2025), recognising the strength of whenua-led, future-focused Māori innovation.
This work contributes directly to the development of materials and systems that can support self-sustaining papakāinga and community infrastructure.
TAUTOKO MERCHANDISE LAUNCHING MATARIKI 2026!
The KAUPAPA
Whenua. Tangata. Wai. One living system.
KAHU CREATIVE HAUORA.
Routines, rhythm and wellbeing
Kahu Creative Hauora Limited focuses on designing for everyday life — recognising that wellbeing and self-sufficiency are built through consistent habits, routines and rhythms.
Through this arm we develop:
tools and resources for whānau wellbeing
seasonal routines aligned with te taiao
lifestyle frameworks that support hauora, clarity and balance
These systems are designed for whānau, their whare and their whenua, and are the same practices we use in our own lives.
By supporting whānau to live in rhythm and abundance now, we help lay the foundation for sustainable futures later.
MATARIKI 20206 RAUEMI LAUNCHING SOON!
2025 kaupapa recap
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TE AKA RAATA - STAGE 1: KARAKIA OPENING
Stage 1 of Te Aka Raata marked the ceremonial opening of a taiao-led urban regeneration project along the Puhinui Stream.
Kahu Creative Studio designed cultural infrastructure elements including bridge balustrades, kick-rails, paving stencils and furniture that embed whakapapa, mātauranga Māori and storytelling into the landscape - reconnecting people back to whenua and wai.
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TEAM PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - He Puna Mātauranga, rangiriri
Attending He Puna Mātauranga at Rangiriri was a grounding and necessary return to the why behind our mahi.
Through kōrero tuku iho and learning on whenua shaped by the New Zealand Land Wars and Raupatu, we were reminded of the sacrifices made by our tūpuna, the enduring significance of Te Kīngitanga, and the values of mana motuhake, tinorangatiratanga, kotahitanga and kaitiakitanga that continue to guide us.
This kaupapa reaffirmed that our work in whenua analysis, hauora and kaakahu is not new - it is a continuation of what our tūpuna set in place. We carry this responsibility forward for our tamariki and future mokopuna.
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ORAIA KI TE AO - taniwha den, Kohinga Koha
ORAIA KI TE AO was presented by our founder Chrissy Morehu in the Taniwha Den at Kohinga Koha 2025, sharing a bold vision for indigenous-led healing, sustainability and innovation.
The kaupapa explored how design, taiao and wairua can work together to restore balance for people and whenua - receiving strong support and recognition for its future potential.
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![THL HEADQUARTERS OFFICIAL OPENING (02 MAY 2025)]()
THL HEADQUARTERS OFFICIAL OPENING
Chrissy attended the official opening of the Tourism Holdings Limited (THL) Headquarters in Tāmaki Makaurau, marking the completion of a kaupapa that embedded Māori design narratives within a contemporary commercial space.
As lead ringatoi, Chrissy worked alongside rangatahi Ryco Wilson (Te Ākitai), supporting him in the development of his first large-scale mahi-toi sculpture through a tuakana-teina relationship.
The design language symbolised the collective whakapapa of the iwi collective - Te Ākitai, Te Ahiwaru and Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua - honouring shared whakapapa, relationships and presence within the whenua.
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Hopuhopu Papakāinga - whenua design
Whenua analysis and whenua design support for the Hopuhopu Papakāinga, focused on long-term living, cultural reconnection and ecological restoration.
This kaupapa integrates whenua analysis, spatial planning and mātauranga Māori to help shape a papakāinga that supports whānau wellbeing, identity and self-determination.
NOTE: This project is still underway - we will provide an update when completed.
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te kirikiri papakāinga - whenua analysis
A holistic whenua analysis undertaken to support the long-term vision for Te Kirikiri Papakāinga.
This mahi brought together ecological history, whenua whakapapa, existing site conditions and future aspirations to inform an intergenerational papakāinga strategy grounded in mātauranga Māori and place-based design thinking.
NOTE: This project is still underway - we will provide an update once completed.
TAUTOKO OUR KAUPAPA
Koha that builds intergenerational futures
Follow our journey to building self-sustaining papakāinga — for our whānau, and for others too.
Everything we do across Kahu Creative Studio, Kahu Creative Kaakahu Limited, and Kahu Creative Hauora Limited is working toward one long-term vision:
To design, build, and support multiple self-sustaining papakāinga across Aotearoa — starting at home, and growing outward to whenua and community.
This begins with our own whānau and tamariki, and extends to other whānau who are ready to plan, design, and live toward an abundant future.
What this journey is really about
Self-sustaining papakāinga doesn’t start with land ownership.
It starts with mindset, routines, values, and the way we live — even while renting.
Our kaupapa supports whānau to:
shift from survival to abundance thinking
design their lives, homes, and whenua with intention
reconnect people, whenua, wai, and daily practice
plan for long-term, intergenerational outcomes
Through our mahi we support whānau at every scale: from personal routines and hauora, to whenua analysis, design strategy, and papakāinga planning.
why your koha matters.
When you tautoko our kaupapa — through koha, services, products, courses, or simply following and sharing our journey — you are helping to fund:
01
STUDIO MAHI
whenua analysis, design frameworks, and long-term planning tools for whānau.
02
KAAKAHU R&D
ongoing research and development of bio-earth and recycled materials
(including ORAIA’s
award-winning Bio-Earth Pavers, Overall Winner at Taniwha Den –
Kohinga Koha 2026).
03
HAUORA RAUEMI
educational resources for whānau, their whare, and their whenua.
You can tautoko our kaupapa in many ways:
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Collaborate with us
Design, whenua, community mahi
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purchase our resources + merch
Hoodies, tees, journals, planners.
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follow + like + share
Follow our social media accounts, watch, like and re-share our content.
tautoko
our
kaupapa
Koha is not charity
— it is contribution
Your koha directly supports:
Māori-led design and innovation
long-term, practical solutions for whānau and whenua
futures that are planned, resourced, and achievable
This is about building futures that last.
Your koha helps fund research, resource development, and the long-term vision of self-sustaining papakāinga across Aotearoa.
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