For this collection each piece has been hand drawn, digitized and sculpted into the gorgeous artwork you see. They feature some of our most engendered native plants and birds, but not in the way you expect.
KAKABEAK | NGUTUKĀKĀ
Rich browns, teal and mustard highlight the long, distinctive flowers of the Kakabeak in this print. These plants are critically endangered (conservation status) with only 150 plants in the wild. You’ll find them on Moturemu Island in the Kaipara harbour, several locations near Ruatoria on the East Cape, Lake Waikaremoana, Ruakituri near Wairoa, and in Hawke’s Bay around Boundary Stream Mainland Island (source DOC/Te Papa Atawhai). They bloom around September and October so keep your eyes out for their distinctive red flowers.
NATIVE HIBISCUS
Warm mustard, nude and merlot colour the two versions of our native hibiscus. This print features a blend of both varieties but they are distinctive in the wild with one version featuring a deep purple centre and the other yellow (with star shaped pods before flowering). These plants are nationally critical (conservation status) with one variety found in the extremes of the North Island (Reef Point and Doubtless Bay North), and the other also in the north island from Te Paki eastward to Hicks Bay, including Great Barrier and Mayor (Tuhua) (source NZPCN)
RAMARAMA
Teal, copper and taupe showcase these beautiful plants. They feature rusty spotted leaves and when flowering have long white delicate filaments. These plants are nationally critical (conservation status) on the endangered list and can be found in the north and south islands (scarce in the south) often hidden in bush or river side (source NZPCN).
WEEPING BROOM
Deep rich purple, white and tan highlight these rare (nationally endangered - conservation status) plants and their distinctive clusters of white and purple flowers. Whilst the plant itself isn’t particularly eye catching, the flowers in December/January are beautiful. But they’re only found in South Marlborough so plan a trip (source NZPCN)
OUR ARTIST
My name is Kaille Harris and I am a stay at home mum of two. I am currently on maternity leave from my “real” job where I am the HoD of an Art Department at my local Secondary School. I have 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!