Ake Ake Shrouds

Ake Ake Shrouds Making artisan plant dyed funeral shrouds for environment friendly & whānau led death care. Personalised shrouds and ready mades. Natural Burial advocate.

Just me letting you know that I am not available for commissions for the next few weeks while I go bush. Not literally, ...
09/10/2025

Just me letting you know that I am not available for commissions for the next few weeks while I go bush. Not literally, but definitely taking a little self imposed break.
I'm able to take enquiries for shroud making, just no actual making at present.
Also here if you have any questions about shrouding, natural burial or other relatables. Just reach out e te whānau.
Online shop stocked too, for ready mades.

02/10/2025

What is water cremation and why did it take nearly seven years to bring it to Aotearoa?

In this episode, Belinda speaks with Debbie Richards, a former nurse and midwife who helped legalise water cremation in New Zealand. Her goal was to create a gentler, more sustainable and more affordable option for families at the end of life.

Debbie explains how water cremation works, what makes it so different and why this option is growing in popularity around the world. She also shares the deeply personal story behind her fight to bring this to life and what it took to get there.
If you're thinking about legacy, climate, or what it means to care even after someone has died, this conversation is for you.
Water Cremation Aotearoa New Zealand

Now streaming on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/33XjtCuoVGbr4zsRki8eF4

Much more than just decorative, these leaf prints embrace the artistic expression of self that connects people with plac...
02/10/2025

Much more than just decorative, these leaf prints embrace the artistic expression of self that connects people with places and the narratives of lives well led.
In making this silk shroud, I used leaves gathered from down country at the person's favourite holiday places. Imagine the laughter and memories this final garment holds for them. Imagine the stories told at the funeral.

Silk funeral shrouds, personalised in an artistic collaboration between maker and mortal.

www.akeakeshrouds.co.nz

01/10/2025

We're inviting YOU – patients, tūroro, families, whānau, carers, volunteers, donors & supporters - to take part in our Community Engagement Project. If you've used Harbour Hospice services, supported someone who has, volunteer with us or are connected to us in another way, we'd love to hear from you before 10 Oct. ☀☀ To be involved, please register your interest here: http://bit.ly/4gmzIDU ☀☀

We’re not just looking back, we're also looking ahead. We want to hear what truly matters to you; the values you hold around hospice care and your hopes and expectations for how we can continue to serve and support our community in the years to come.

We hope to capture a wide range of voices, inclusive of communities who may be marginalised and whose voices may not always be heard, such as; Māori, Pasific Peoples, Ethnic Communities, LGBTQI+, younger people and those living in rural areas.

We pride ourselves on being compassionate, inclusive, equitable and accessible for everyone with specialist palliative care needs, and your unique insights will really help us ensure we can be there for our community, in the ways that matter most to you, now and in the future.

Imagine how high you can soar with wings like these?I didn't expect this botanical print to be quite so beautiful, but i...
28/09/2025

Imagine how high you can soar with wings like these?

I didn't expect this botanical print to be quite so beautiful, but it's silk and it performs like nothing else. Plant dyed funeral shroud in the making.

26/09/2025

We have an opening.
Have you ever wondered what this work would be like? Perhaps you're looking for more meaningful work?
Due to our continuing growth we have an opportunity for someone new to join our team. Working a roster of flexible hours you'll be involved in all aspects of our work, with full support and training given. We're responsive in our approach and prefer to fit the role to the right person, so if you're interested get in touch and let's have a chat.

Think about how nature deals with animals and birds when they die. Imagine them falling to lie on the earth, to be decom...
25/09/2025

Think about how nature deals with animals and birds when they die. Imagine them falling to lie on the earth, to be decomposed by microorganisms, worms & insects. No burial, no coffin. Nature knows what to do. Helped by moisture from the rain and warmth from the sun, bodies are quietly and without fuss, simply returned to the elements.

The practice of natural or green burial mimics nature. We add our rituals as humans tend to do, we abide by a few rules. But basically it's the same principle given to us by nature, so we can give back to her.

There's a possum graveyard up the road, we think the Kahurangi - Hawks - bring the roadkill here.

Rehashing an old post I made a few years back, in the wake of Covid and the beginnings of aggressions in Ukraine. A time...
23/09/2025

Rehashing an old post I made a few years back, in the wake of Covid and the beginnings of aggressions in Ukraine. A time when I thought the world was in a bad place, not knowing that years later we’d be scrabbling at the peak of what seems like global insanity and social injustice. Scrolling through images of children dying, climate emergencies, fascist politics and violence against minorities amongst other transgressions on the human condition. On one hand, social media is an important source of information and a platform for activism. On the other, it’s a cause of depression and anxiety. It’s a place we come together to be citizens of the world, but in the process can be weakened by the toxicity. And somewhere in that space, we want our own voices to be heard amongst the noise. 

I don’t have the answers, but I do have some strategies that I am trying out for myself. Plato said that social justice doesn’t come from just strength, it comes from harmonious strength. Finding harmony between yourself and the social world you engage in builds resilience. Only from a place of resilience can we make change. 

What are your strategies for social media wellbeing?




My dyers studio is often a chaotic messy space, but it's my space and I love it. When everything is lined up it's a thin...
23/09/2025

My dyers studio is often a chaotic messy space, but it's my space and I love it. When everything is lined up it's a thing of beauty to me, but if I'm honest, then most times the space is cluttered and besplattered. Somewhere between photo 1 and 3. Shhhh, don't tell the health and safety elves.
I just read a book on natural dyeing that strongly recommended keeping your work space clean and tidy, and I thought "are you kidding me"?
My journey with natural dyes started at the kitchen table, progressed to an outdoor deck and now I have this covered shed constructed from recycled materials and a dirt floor. One day I'll grow up, but for now, this is where the magic happens.

What is rust if not the slow death of metal, a process of decay that produces a vibrancy of surface textures with organi...
19/09/2025

What is rust if not the slow death of metal, a process of decay that produces a vibrancy of surface textures with organic orange and smokey colours. While some people do everything in their power to stop rust, natural dyers seek the opposite, encouraging rust to make marks on fabric or paper. There are many ways to use iron in dyeing to print, enhance or shift colours. If you'd like to try one easy method of printing with rusty objects, you can find a downloadable PDF on my website shop. It's free, but a like on this post or even a follow is always appreciated.
www.akeakeshrouds.co.nz

Ice is one of the various vehicles that can be used to transfer dyes to surface. As the ice melts, it carries dye with i...
18/09/2025

Ice is one of the various vehicles that can be used to transfer dyes to surface. As the ice melts, it carries dye with it, flowing and blending into abstact patterns. The result is a fluid appearance that reflects the movement of water. In my opinion it is much more subtle and sophisticated than tie dye, but it takes longer.

Here are a couple of examples of things I have made with ice dyeing, and right now, as I write this, there is a special commission melting in the studio.


What do you think about using edible food as a dye source?Tumeric, red cabbage, beetroot and berries can yield some inte...
17/09/2025

What do you think about using edible food as a dye source?
Tumeric, red cabbage, beetroot and berries can yield some interesting colours but did you know that none of these are particularly colourfast? They belong to a group of dyes called fugitives, because they run away. They're more like stains than dyes.

I personally prefer to avoid food as a fabric dye for another reason, and yes I'm taking the moral high ground here. In my opinion there
are too many people on the planet facing famine, food shortages and starvation. Even in my own community, families struggle to put food on the table. There are bees, insects, birds and animals to feed too. It doesn't sit well with me. Thoughts?


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Kaiwaka
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