O R A

1. (verb) to be alive, well, safe, cured, recovered, healthy, fit, healed.

2. (modifier) healthy, fit, well, alive - in a state of wellbeing or just being alive.

Aligning with Rongomātane and the resources within his realm to not only cure the physical state but also the spiritual and mental state.

The collection was born from a desire to highlight alternative medicine, a reconnection to the earth, and a deep desire to once again feel healthy after what has been a crazy few years. It encompasses Rongoā Māori practices (traditional Māori practitioners), showcasing the rongoā rākau (plant remedies) aspect of their teachings. 

Our locally curated prints feature some of the plants/rākau used in traditional Maori practice and their common uses. We have kept tones, deep, moody, muted, and rich with shades of butterscotch, charcoal, periwinkle, duck egg, and rose. 

OUR PRINTS

AKA  MATUA  in OCEAN | EMINENCE | CHARCOAL

RĀTĀ

Rātā are very versatile plants with their bark being used to treat diarrhoea (inner); lotions for ringworm, poultices for wounds/sores, tea for aches and pains (external bark).

It's flowers and bark can be used with honey for sore throats, its sap for treating wounds, and young leaves used in the hollows of sore teeth. Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga Manaaki Whenua (Landcare Research)

TAUPATA (LOOKING GLASS PLANT)

Taupata (Coprosma repens) is a robust little rākau (plant) that can withstand the strongest elements.

Found costal, Taupata has been traditionally used by Māori for kidney and bladder inflammation. It also helps to support gut flora. Te Waka Rakau

KAWAKAWA

Is traditionally used for irritations, abrasions and pains. Kawakawa leaves have a super high anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and analgesic content making it an amazing balm for all sorts.

Taken internally, Kawakawa cleans the blood and acts as a blood thinner. It assists with respiratory ailments and warms the chest area due to the peppery leaves. It soothes sore throats and supports the lungs during colds or bronchitis. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-neuralgic activities and is useful as a liver tonic also. It’s a wonderful revitaliser and excellent as an overall health tonic for the body. Te Waka Rakau

MĀNUKA

Mānuka is abundant throughout New Zealand, from lowland to subalpine areas. It can be used as a tea – hence its other common name, tea-tree.

An infusion of the bark is used externally and internally as a sedative. It was also used for scalds and burns. Ash made from the bark was rubbed onto the skin to treat skin diseases. Vapour from leaves boiled in water was used for colds. The inner bark was boiled and the liquid used as a mouthwash. Te Papa

KŪMARAHOU (GUM DIGGERS SOAP)

Not only does kūmarahou contain high levels of saponins (soap like substance) but it is an amazing tea helping with bronchial issues/colds.

When brewed, it's extremely bitter but great for flushing out toxins.

HARAKEKE (FLAX)

Harakeke has many uses, the most common seen with babies as wahakura (pepi pods) or muka ties (umbilical cord clamps made from flax fibres).

From a rongoā perspective, leaves/roots can be pulped and heated then placed on boils, hard parts of the leaf can be used to splint. Juice can be used for toothache, ringworm, and skin ailments. Te Ara

PĀKAIAHI (FIRE STARTER MUSHROOM)

Also known as the fire starter mushroom, traditionally used to carry fire in the forest. It was carried by chosen people to carefully keep the mushroom alight in damp and sometimes wet conditions for miles and in rugged terrain. Once the tribe had reached their destination, the mushroom was used to start a fire for cooking and keeping warm.

The pākaiahi mushroom (Ganoderma applanatum) is an edible type of medicinal fungus that has been used for various healing abilities by Māori of Aotearoa. It is a “superfood.” Pākaiahi is strongly anti-inflammatory and tied to longevity, better immune function and mental clarity.

They are large mushrooms often found on trees that are dead or dying. Te Waka Rakau

My name is Kaille Harris and I am a working from home, mum of two. To set the scene, it was 2020 and I was on maternity leave from my “real” job where I was the HoD of an Art Department at a local Secondary School. I had been a teacher for 10 years. I grew up wanting to be a teacher and I have loved every second of it. I went on Maternity leave at the end of 2019 to have my son, he was born right before our first big lockdown here in New Zealand and soon I found myself getting quite bored with all the play groups and meet up spots closed. So I took to instagram for some inspiration. A local Reusable Nappy company was running a “design your own print” competition, which really sparked the fire in me. I began painting and had soon completed my first design. I didn’t win the competition but it got the ball rolling with other companies sliding into my DMs asking if I could design for them too. This gave me the confidence I needed to make this a real venture! Under The Moon was born in August of 2020 operating solely through Instagram and is now a thriving wee business that I am so proud to call my own! In the middle of 2021 I made the call to resign from my HoD job and go FULL TIME with Under The Moon! It continues to be the best decision I ever made!