Ake Ake Shrouds

12/07/2026

What is the meaning of Ake Ake (aah-keh aah-kah, not acky acky)? It's one of Aotearoa's native plants, Dodonaea viscosa, hardy and widespread. Viscosa is a clue to the sticky resin of the baby leaf, you can see it appears darker in the eco print.
Ake Ake translates from Te Reo Māori as meaning 'for ever and ever' . And ake, as the singular, means moving upwards.

It's one of my favourite plants to use for dyeing, I love the long leaf shapes even when chomped by insects, and I love the symbolism imbued in the name.

10/07/2026

Mānawatia a Matariki! ✨

This is a time for reflection, rememberance and to set intentions for the future year. And that's what we did, at dawn on one of the best beaches in the world (we're biased) our swim group gathered for karakia and waiata. We each shared our aspirations - lots of 'keep on swimming' - and then jumped into the moana. Perfect start to honour Māori new year. ✨

What's your aspiration for the year ahaed?

08/07/2026

02/07/2026

Christchurch!! Titiro mai.....

18/06/2026

Look who came to our Death Café yesterday? Wendy Hampton, an ex lawyer passionate about empowering people to get their estate planning in order, spoke to the group about what's required legally to tidy up your financial assets after death. Wendy shared her extensive expertise about wills, trusts, probate etc and left us inspired to GYST (get your s*t together). The more information you document now, the less time lawyers need later which ultimately saves money for your beneficiaries. Like all aspects of advance planning, being prepared ultimately makes the grief journey easier for your family.

Wendy gives public talks for free, and has published guide books to help you, these are available to purchase on her website.

https://wendyhampton.com/pages/about-wendy-hampton

15/06/2026

Estate planning, all that business of sorting out what happens to your assets, finances and important health and welfare decisions when you die, is a topic that comes up frequently at our Death Café. So when Wendy Hampton, an expert on these matters, reached out and offered to present to the group, we seized the opportunity.
There are spaces available for a few more people, so if you're keen to attend please let me know. Email address is on the pic.

12/06/2026

I had some amazing conversations this morning at the expo at Selwyn village. It totally affirms for me that if you create a safe compassionate space for people, they really do want to talk about death and dying.

Understandably some weren't familiar with shrouds, the curious and brave had questions such as;
What do you do about leakage?
What's a natural burial?
Can I fill out the paperwork myself?
Can you drive your person to the crematorium yourself?
Do you still stuff cotton wool in orifices? (nah, we don't do that anymore)
Can you use shrouds without a coffin? (absolutely)
And...
How long does it take you to dye a shroud? (about 3 days).

I love these honest and open exchanges when people leave the room feeling more knowledgeable, and maybe less mystified, than when they entered. That's really what it's all about.

11/06/2026

For my linen shrouds I use OECO-TEX 100 certified fabric, accredited as made from a ethical producer, and sourced from a small Aotearoa owned business. The dyeing process is natural, non toxic and zero waste.
Sustainable, earth friendly and ethical values underpin this work. The planet, and people deserve nothing less.

If you are a New Zealand business working in death care, and would like a sample of botanically printed linen, along with a few of my business cards for your clients, drop a comment below.

10/06/2026

The goal of ecoprinting is not perfection, but this is pretty close.

Eucalyptus leaves making marks on linen, the results of a tester earlier this week. I particularly like the misshapen one at the top, embracing nature's quirks.