Ko Cassidy tēnei

Meet Cassidy — The Artist Behind Ngā Ao e Rua o Josephine

At the heart of Ngā Ao e Rua o Josephine, our first silk scarf, are two huia.

Placed in quiet conversation with one another, they carry a story far greater than the fabric they sit on. It is a story of connection, honour, and enduring legacy.

Though the huia is now extinct, its presence endures in memory, in story, and in what it continues to represent. That makes its symbolism even more significant to me, as a reminder of the importance of carrying these narratives forward so they are never lost or forgotten. In a world where Indigenous cultures face ongoing pressures of erasure, choosing to hold, share, and honour these stories feels like an act of quiet strength. It is a way of ensuring that what holds mana is never diminished, and never disappears.

The huia remains one of Aotearoa’s most powerful symbols of rangatira, representing leadership and mana. Traditionally, huia feathers were worn by those of high status, and to gift one was an expression of deep trust and regard. The presence of two speaks to something even more intimate: partnership, loyalty, and the strength found in unity. This pairing also pays homage to Dame Whina Cooper, who was known for wearing two huia feathers in her hats, a visual signature of her strength, identity, and her unwavering commitment to her people.

While creating this piece, everything kept coming back to connection, between people, to place, to legacy, and to what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.

I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember, and I always find my way back to creating, no matter where I am. I love making, but also consuming and witnessing all forms of art. It has always been the lens through which I understand the world around me. I am especially inspired by nature, and I tend to see it through a broader, more intuitive lens. I am drawn to movement, balance, asymmetry, and the relationships between things, rather than just the things themselves, and I hope that is evident in this piece.

Ngā Ao e Rua o Josephine began as a watercolour painting on paper, where the huia first took shape in soft, flowing layers. From there, the process became a collaboration, aligning even more deeply with the meaning behind the piece itself. My sister-in-law, Kiri, photographed the artwork, and our designer and cousin, Alicia, arranged it digitally, refining the composition until it felt right. It was then translated onto silk, intentionally chosen as a natural fabric, important to us both from a sustainability perspective and in respect of our tinana.

Beyond the process, this piece holds a deeply personal meaning. Marrying into this whānau comes with a real sense of responsibility and honour. I am a Pākehā girl from rural Northern Territory, Australia, and I am very aware of the legacy I'm stepping into. I feel incredibly grateful to be welcomed in, not just into the big moments, but into the everyday, the laughter, the chaos, the odd jobs. I want to make my whānau proud.

That awareness is something I carry into my art. While I feel deeply inspired by te ao Māori, I am very conscious of creating in a way that acknowledges and respects the culture, without stepping into spaces that are not mine to hold. To me, it is about admiration, not ownership, about listening, learning, and making sure what I create comes from a place of deep respect.

In many ways, the two huia reflect my own journey within Ngā Ao e Rua o Josephine.

Two worlds.

A meeting place between identities.

A shared path forward, grounded in respect.

As with all of our pieces, this scarf is more than something to wear, it is a story to carry. One of connection, of legacy, and of the quiet strength found in walking alongside one another. A message Dame Whina Cooper spent a lifetime sharing.

I am proud to bring to you, Ngā Ao e Rua o Josephine.