The story of Kahurere
The name Kahurere draws from Tainui traditions and speaks to journey, creativity and the strength of wāhine Māori. In kōrero tuku iho, Hotorua was the rangatira of the Tainui waka, and Kahurere is remembered as his daughter (a woman associated with knowledge, movement and adaptation).
Across different accounts, Kahurere is known as a keeper of rongoā, sustaining and evolving the use of plants as she traversed new environments. Her story is one of migration and foraging, responding to the unknown and creating pathways where none existed before.
Some traditions place her journey across the central landscapes of Aotearoa, reflecting a life shaped by movement and connection to place.
The name itself holds this meaning: kahu (bird), rere (flight).
This is reflected in the Kahurere logo, where a flying manu forms the shape of a K, symbolising movement, migration and the forging of new pathways.
Kahurere brings together Māori art and contemporary commercial spaces, heritage and modern design, two worlds woven together through kotahitanga and respect.
The approach
Kahurere was created by artist and designer Morgan Darlison, whose work is grounded in whakapapa, storytelling and a deep connection to place. Every design begins with pencil and intention, shaped by Māori influence and inspired by the native species, histories and landscapes of Aotearoa.
The name Kahurere holds personal significance, drawn from Morgan’s Waikato whakapapa and the strong female tīpuna who inspire her work. This foundation of heritage, creativity and narrative is woven through every wallpaper.
Each design is highly detailed, warm in tone and rich in atmosphere, blending Māori design forms with a subtle Victorian influence. The result is a refined aesthetic that feels both contemporary and timeless.
Kahurere wallpapers are printed in Aotearoa, a commitment that reflects the brand’s values of community, collaboration and supporting local suppliers. The range is available in a premium linen texture ensuring a luxurious feel across both residential and commercial projects.
Every element of the process is intentional: the detail, the depth, the materials and the way each design is brought to life. Kahurere exists to elevate spaces through meaningful, narrative-led artistry.
The people
Morgan Darlison - Artist & Managing Director
Morgan leads the creative vision of Kahurere, hand-drawing each design and bringing it to life through a distinctly Māori lens. Her work is grounded in whakapapa, narrative and a deep connection to place.
Luke and Taylor Spittle - Operations
Luke and Taylor oversee the operational foundations of the brand, bringing more than 20 years’ experience across media, events and large-scale project delivery throughout Aotearoa and Australia. Their focus is on structure, delivery and creating pathways for the work to live in the world.
Together, the Kahurere team is united by creativity, strategy and a shared commitment to quality. Kahurere was born from artistic expression and the desire to tell stories visually — creating wall coverings that hold meaning and invite connection to space, history and place.