Handcrafted Pēpi Kākahu in Aotearoa
A taonga that wraps your pēpi in whakapapa, love, and identity. Handcrafted in the Far North of New Zealand by Beth Rika.
Handcrafted taonga
Traditional methods
Māori heritage
Authentic designs
Premium quality
Natural materials
NZ-wide shipping
Secure delivery
KO AU / WHO I AM
Kia ora, I'm Beth
I’m Beth Rika, a creator, educator, and small business owner from Aotearoa New Zealand. For more than 30 years, I’ve dedicated my life to caring for and teaching tamariki, guided by a gentle heart and a love for helping others grow.
As a proud mum and hands-on nanny, whānau is at the centre of everything I do. That love of family inspires the work I create through TKC Sensory & Education and Kakahu Taonga, where I handcraft meaningful pēpi kākahu and keepsakes made with aroha.
Alongside my creative work, I’ve also supported community and care-based initiatives, always with a focus on kindness, connection, and respect.
Beth Rika
Founder & Artist
Handcrafted in Aotearoa
Made with aroha
Traditional taonga
Why a Pēpi Kākahu
A pēpi kākahu is a special garment or cloak made for a baby, created to wrap them in love, care, and meaning. More than something to wear, it is a treasured keepsake that can honour a baby’s identity, whakapapa, and connection to whānau.
Each pēpi kākahu is often handcrafted with beautiful patterns, soft fabrics, and feathers, with every detail chosen to tell a story. It can be gifted for births, naming days, celebrations, photographs, or held close as a remembrance piece.
In a simple way, a pēpi kākahu is about surrounding a precious little one with warmth, pride, and aroha from the very beginning.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Pēpi Kākahu?
The price of each Kākahu Taonga varies depending on the design, materials, and detail involved. Every Pēpi Kākahu is handcrafted with care in Aotearoa, making each piece a meaningful Māori baby keepsake as well as a beautiful gift. Current pricing is available on each product listing.
Can you create a kākahu urgently?
In some cases, we can prioritise urgent requests for a handcrafted Pēpi Kākahu. Please contact us directly to discuss your timeframe, and we will do our best to help.
Who are Kākahu Taonga suitable for?
Our Pēpi Kākahu are created for pēpi, mokopuna, and whānau. They are often chosen as Māori taonga for babies for gifting, celebration, blessing, milestones, and remembrance.
Are these culturally appropriate for everyone to purchase?
Kākahu Taonga are created with deep respect for Māori culture, whakapapa, and meaning. We welcome those who approach each piece with understanding, respect, and aroha for the significance behind a Māori baby cloak.
What materials are used?
Each handcrafted baby kākahu includes a tāniko band, carefully selected costume feathers, and a soft cotton lining. These materials are chosen to create a taonga that feels both special and lasting.
How long will my kākahu last?
With proper care, your Pēpi Kākahu can be treasured for many years as a keepsake taonga. Many whānau choose to keep their kākahu as a Māori cultural baby keepsake to display, gift, and pass down.
How long does it take to create a Pēpi Kākahu?
Each Pēpi Kākahu is handcrafted with care and intention. Creation time is usually 1–2 weeks, depending on the design detail and current order volume.
Are your kākahu one of a kind?
Yes. Every Kākahu Taonga is unique and never exactly duplicated. Each one carries its own story, design meaning, and sense of identity for the pēpi and whānau it is made for.
Can I request a custom design?
Yes. We welcome custom orders and can work with you to create a custom Pēpi Kākahu that reflects your whakapapa, story, and intention. A custom piece can become a deeply personal taonga for your pēpi.
What do the designs represent?
Each design is inspired by whakapapa, connection, aroha, and protection. Patterns such as diamonds, waves, and niho carry symbolic meanings linked to strength, journey, belonging, and identity. This is part of what makes every Kākahu Taonga more than a garment — it is a taonga.
Are these suitable for special occasions or remembrance?
Yes. Pēpi Kākahu are often chosen for birth, naming ceremonies, milestones, baby showers, christenings, and remembrance. They hold deep emotional and cultural meaning, making them a treasured Māori baby gift and keepsake.
What size are the kākahu?
Our Pēpi Kākahu are designed for newborn to toddler, with a gentle drape suitable for wearing or displaying. They are made to feel special for your pēpi while also being treasured as a keepsake.
Are they safe for babies to wear?
Kākahu Taonga are delicate handcrafted pieces. We recommend supervised wear only, so your Māori baby cloak can be enjoyed safely and cared for properly.
Can my kākahu be framed?
Yes, framing is available as an optional add-on. Framing is a beautiful way to preserve and display your Pēpi Kākahu as a lasting keepsake taonga in your home or whānau space.
How do I care for my kākahu?
To care for your handcrafted Pēpi Kākahu:
° Keep it in a dry, safe place
° Avoid moisture
° Handle it gently
° Store or display it carefully when not in use
With the right care, your Kākahu Taonga can remain a treasured keepsake for years to come.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Kākahu Taonga acknowledges tangata whenua as the original custodians of Aotearoa. We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and uphold the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and respect in all that we create.