Pūtake represents the originator, the source of our creation and all that comes into being thereafter. The lines representing moments of insight and ancestral discovery. Our Pūtake design is both an enhancer and an easy everyday earring.
Features: The surface of the design is hand-painted into the designed etching and features an upper connector so the pieces fix closer to the ear, creating a stronger side profile.
Available in three colourways:
Terracotta + Yellow
Cloudy + Pink
Powder Blue + Coral Pink
Bound by: *Glue and Stainless Steel post and ear pad.
Dimensions: 52mm (w) x 75mm (h)
The MISS MAIA Story
Ko Putauaki te maunga. Ko Te Takinga i o Apa te wai. Ko Te Arawa, ko Mataatua ngā waka. Ko Te Aotahi te tangata. Ko Hahuru, ko Kokohinau ngā marae. Ko Ngāti Peehi, ko Te Pahipoto ngā hapū. Ko Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau, ko Ngāti Awa, ko Tūhoe ngā iwi. Ko Tracey Gardner ahau.
In 2012, I left Wellington's treacherous runway for Naarm (Melbourne), eager to soak up its vibrant, eclectic and multi-cultural scene and landscape. Before this move, I ran a niche design and research consulting business in Wellington, specialising in Māori communication design. My work addressed the need for visual messaging that genuinely connected with Māori audiences.
Starting over in Melbourne with a busy corporate job and parenthood thrown in the mix, creative practice took a back seat. But my urge to create—telling visual stories that express my culture, push creative boundaries, and connect with others—only grew stronger. After my pāpā passed suddenly in 2018, I felt a major perspective shift: I launched MISS MAIA in a matter of weeks to reclaim my creative side, to heal, and to reconnect with ‘home’ and my cultural roots after many years abroad.
MISS MAIA became my creative outlet, allowing me to (re)discover old and new cultural forms, brought to life with vector illustration, new materials, technology and handmade production. It’s been a journey of expression, innovation, healing and joy. My passion for design drives every one of my unique pieces, as I immerse myself in every step of the process. By supporting MISS MAIA, you’re directly supporting a wahine Māori business owner, a family (my son and I) and the extended communities that MISS MAIA is a part of.
After eight and a half years in Melbourne, I returned home in September 2020, grounding MISS MAIA on my ancestral whenua of Ngāti Awa in Whakatāne. The brand has grown steadily over the years, now stocked in galleries and retail spaces across NZ and Australia. Proud and endlessly grateful, I’m excited for what's next. Reach out anytime—I’d love to connect.
Arohanui (much love) - Tracey Gardner
Caring for your taonga
Please keep your MISS MAIA jewellery and accessories in a clean, dry place away from other metals that may tarnish your findings, hooks and/or studs. Oils, creams, moisturisers and perfumes that are in contact with your MISS MAIA jewellery will affect the longevity of glue and the lustre of the metals. Normal wear and tear of the materials over time and with frequent use/wear is to be expected.
If you have pieces with paint fill avoid coating these with any cleaning products or wiping over the surface as the paint may lift.
I know it will be hard to take off your MISS MAIA jewellery but it’s best not to wear in water and do be mindful that some pieces are delicate due to their design and will break if they are deliberately or accidentally dropped or bent.
