Responding to the competition brief – What is well-being to you? – Arnya Karaitiana DINZ, Special Group, created a powerful suite of drawings using brushes crafted from the muka (fibres) of the Harakeke plant. These were then developed into the Pā Harakeke Collection, a suite of carpet tiles that present the Harakeke plant as a metaphor for whānau (family) and interconnectedness.

At our To The Floor  event in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Arnya will talk to her story on how the collection relates to her from a Te Ao Māori worldview; illuminating the significance that connection, whānau (family), and inter-generational knowledge holds within her personal identity and well-being.

“To achieve balance within oneself, one must be intimately familiar with one's identity. Knowing who you are and where you stand in the world informs optimum physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.”

Together, these elements depict the plant's development and create a visually captivating effect when translated into the Milliken carpet tile range.

“Knowing your identity is knowing your whānau (family), your whakapapa (heritage) while maintaining the connections between body, mind, and spirit,” says Karaitiana. “The idea of exploring this concept through the floor as a canvas is very interesting to me. It’s a space I would love to keep exploring as I feel like there is an opportunity to communicate and even educate within flooring.”

Arnya, Rangitāne, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Arawa, brings profound expertise from over 15 years in the arts, design, and advertising sectors. Her fervor lies in purposeful design, craftsmanship, and storytelling, all aimed at creating experiences that resonate deeply and foster positive change.

She focuses on her sense of connection, strength and resilience that a strong whānau (family) foundation presents, while acknowledging the many generations (multiple lines) past, present and future – that shapes her journey.