'E Rere Kotare', wahine supporting wahine in creative  wananga, designed to uplift the self-esteem, confidence, and mana of wahine in our community. 

We are a collective of wahine textile artists based in Kaikohe.  We met at Te Pu o Te Wheke Art Gallery and we are growing and moving together. 

Healing starts at home. When you uplift the wahine, you strengthen the community. Our small community deserves moments of joy, creativity, and connection. Our collective brings women together to share skills, creativity, and stories while celebrating the beauty, strength, and talents of local wahine.

Through workshops, talks, creativity, and travel, the Kotare Collective aims to remind women in our community that everyone has value, beauty, and something powerful to share.

Creative Workshops

Participants will take part in uplifting, hands-on workshops such as:

Crown Making – Did you know how beautiful you are?

Pimp My Coat – creative clothing transformation

Shibori Fabric Dyeing

Silk Screen Printing

Sewing & Upcycling Workshops

Design Your Runway Look / Wearable Art

These workshops will focus on creativity, self-expression, and transforming everyday clothing into wearable art.

Community Photo Exhibition

During the festival, participants will have photos taken wearing handmade crowns and sashes, seated on a custom-made throne (already built for the project).

Each sash will feature a kupu (word) that describes what that wahine is proud of or known for and it is up to the community to choose the appropriate kupu.

These photographs will become a community exhibition at Te Pu o Te Wheke Art Gallery, celebrating local women and their stories.

Evening “Everyone is Beautiful / Smashing” Anti-Fashion Parade

This joyful fashion parade will invite wahine to strut their creations down the catwalk, cheered on by whānau and community.