the colour library

For those wishing to add an extra personalised touch, a colour name reference that resonates with the recipient in mind adds to the charm & sentiment of colour shared. 

Rather than giving the colours a specific name, elements of nature are categorised into a simple colour spectrum.  The elements portray a unique spirit of place, what the 'Maker', & many of us in NZ know as our ‘familiar'.  Name references allow a colour cue for the mind to instinctively awaken a sense of connection to our natural world. 

GREEN/kākāriki:     pounamu-greenstone,   tī kōuka-cabbage tree,   kawakawa,   koru-frond, 

 korimako/makomako/rearea-bellbird,    kākāpō,   kākā,  kea, 

Ngahere-forest:  rimu,   kauri,   kahikatea,   miro,   mataī,   tōtara,   nīkau-palm, 

 tree ferns:  ponga,   mamaku,   kātote,   whekī,

RED/whero:    kōkōwai-red earth,   rātā,   ngutukākā-kakabeak,   harakeke-flax, 

 pōhutukawa,   korengo-red seaweed,   karo,  rewa rewa,

BLUE/kikorangi:    roto-lake,   awa-river,   moana-ocean,   Tīkapa moana o Hauraki,

Waitematā,   Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa-Pacific ocean,   Te Tai-o-Rēhua-Tasman sea,  

    Whakatipu,   Rangi-sky,   kōtare-kingfisher,   tūī,   kererū-woodpigeon,   

kopakopa-Chatham island forget me not,

YELLOW/kōwhai:    puāwai -blossom,   tīkumu-mountain daisy,

PURPLE/waiporoporo:    paua-abalone,   māikaika & māmāika-sun orchid,   

kōtukutuku-tree fuchsia,

BROWN/parauri:    tīeke-saddleback,   pāteke-duck,   harakeke-flax,

ferns: ponga - mamaku - kātote - whekī,

ORANGE/karaka:    kauri,   karaka berry,   tōnga o te rā-setting of the sun, 

 rimurapa-bull kelp,   pīngao-dune grass,  tussock

PINK/māwhero:    pūriri,  mānuka, kānuka, whitinga o te rā-sunrise, 

WHITE/mā:    kōtuku-white heron,   hīnau-white flowered  hīnau tree,   toroa-albatross, 

whetū mārama-bright star,

GOLD  WHITE:    toetoe,   tūturiwhatu-dotterel,  puawānanga-clematis 

Acknowledgment:

colour shared acknowledges Māori as Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa.  Aotearoa is the land upon which we draw our inspiration & where our studio operates.  We give special thanks to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for consultation on appropriate usage & interpretation of indigenous content. 

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