Kia ora and welcome to Waidrate

My name is Aleisha, born and raised in Rotorua. I’m a mama to two and the founder of Waidrate, a pakihi born from wanting to reconnect with culture while living over in Australia.

Being away from home made me realise how important those everyday connections to culture really are, not just for myself, but for our Māori whānau living abroad too. I wanted to create something meaningful that people could carry with them every day, something that felt like a piece of home.

Waidrate was created in October 2024, blending everyday lifestyle with intentional Māori toi and storytelling. We work alongside talented local NZ Māori artists to create designs that carry meaning, identity, and culture in every piece.

What started as a simple idea quickly became something much bigger, a brand built on connection, representation, and community. Running Waidrate has been such a fulfilling journey, and we’re proud to create products our people can feel connected to, wherever they are in the world ✨