Hariata Mann

Ahi Kā: A Taste of Home is my design project about reconnecting to culture through kai (food) and storytelling. The idea comes from Ahi Kā: keeping the home fires burning. Which for me means holding onto whakapapa, whānau, and a sense of belonging, even in a busy, modern world.

This project started from my own memories of growing up in my Nanna’s kitchen, surrounded by laughter, stories, and good food. I used those memories, along with family recipes and reflections, to design a cookbook and a set of artefacts. A ceramic vessel, heat mat, and tea towel. Each piece represents warmth, protection, and home, inspired by the traditional Hāngi.

Through this work, I wanted to show how design can be more than visuals. It can hold emotion, memory, and identity. The cookbook isn’t just for reading; it’s meant to be used, spilled on, shared, and loved. Ahi Kā: A Taste of Home is my way of saying that cultural connection doesn’t have to be complicated. It can start with something as simple as sitting down for a meal with your whānau and keeping that home fire burning.