Cloak

A kahu huruhuru (feather cloak) made by a traditional twining technique, but not of the usual muka (processed New Zealand flax). Fringe for 9-9.5 cm. at corners of top end, rest turned under. Black wool yarn along the sides. Short feathers in orange, red, iridescent green/blue, and white. The green/blue feathers form four broad zig-zag stripes. The orange feathers are from the kākā's (parrot) underwing, the red feathers from the kākā's belly, and the blackish-blue feathers are tūī body feathers.

The kahu huruhuru is a Māori cloak adorned entirely with feathers. These cloaks are made by carefully attaching thousands of feathers from native birds such as the kākā, kiwi, kererū, tūī, kākāpō, to a finely woven muka (flax fiber) base. Each feather is bent and woven into the weft rows using a method similar to that used in rain capes, with the feather shaft folded back on itself to hold it securely in place. The process is incredibly time-consuming and requires immense skill and patience.

Each kahu huruhuru is a taonga (treasure), worn during significant events, serving as a powerful symbol of whakapapa (ancestry) and mana (power).