Jewellery has long been used as a quiet marker of life’s defining moments: a 21st birthday, a marriage, a new beginning, an engagement.
As we move through the midpoint of 2026, that same instinct feels just as present in the act of adorning oneself to acknowledge Matariki – because finally here’s a chance for us to pause and reflect. To help steer us towards a positive sense of enlightenment of sorts, Pandora marks its debut artistic collaboration in New Zealand with a thoughtful partnership alongside the vibrant world of the Dreamgirls Art Collective, a trio of creative, stylish wāhine: Miriama Grace-Smith (Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Toarangatira, Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou), Xoë Hall (Kāi Tahu, Te Rakiamoa, Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki, English, Danish, Irish), and Gina Kiel (Scottish, Irish, Danish and Dutch heritage).
The resulting collaboration consists of a large public mural, which took two months to complete in the heart of Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s creative district, and nine complementary enamel charms rendered in the same explosion of colour and storytelling. Reflecting the nine stars of Matariki, the charms retain Pandora’s familiar formula: to create small objects with an uncanny ability to carry outsized meaning.
“I’ve always seen jewellery as another form of storytelling,” explains Kiel. “I tend to wear pieces that hold meaning while also being decorative. Similar to special details in a painting. Jewellery can say so much.”
For those lucky enough to witness the mural up close, it’s hard to miss the kaleidoscopic work depicting a modern-day wāhine from the capital carrying on the legacy of her ancestors. Located at the intersection of Ghuznee and Leeds Streets in the city’s iconic creative quarter, it also fittingly stands alongside the recent memorial mural of Mu from Fat Freddy’s Drop by Owen Dippie and Otis Frizzell.
“Seeing the mural at this scale is rewarding because it adds vibrancy to the city while inviting people to learn more about Matariki by discovering the different meanings woven throughout the artwork” explains Kiel. “For me, it’s about celebrating Matariki while also honouring the strength and beauty of wāhine. I hope people see themselves reflected in the work and feel a sense of empowerment.”
Grace-Smith – who also creates her own line of clothing and accessories – also acknowledges that the power of public art lies in its ability to meet people where they are. Through this unique collaboration, it also provides an opportunity to spotlight the importance of art as a salve to trying times.
“My hope for the creative community of Aotearoa is that we continue to be resilient,” she says. “When times are tough, those challenges can become the catalyst for the change we’ve been putting off, encouraging us to move with purpose and create new opportunities. Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed more Māori than ever sharing their creative mahi with confidence and pride. I’ve seen our people finding their voices, speaking louder, backing themselves, and taking up space in ways that are powerful and inspiring. That momentum matters, and I hope we continue to nurture it, regardless of the political landscape.”
It’s these conversations that provide a timely reminder of why this time of year is important to honour. “Matariki reminds us of the strength we find in reflection, renewal, and collective action. There’s real power in people working together towards a shared goal. By supporting one another, amplifying each other’s voices, and collaborating across our creative communities, we can shape a stronger, more vibrant future for the arts in Aotearoa.”
The charms themselves are a physical embodiment of these sentiments. One of those, the Waitī charm, depicts a spiralling tuna (eel) and honours freshwater ecosystems and the life they sustain. It’s the one I’d be inclined to wear myself, threaded onto a simple red silk cord rather than a bracelet – a quiet reminder that some of the most meaningful jewellery doesn’t need to shout. Equally moving is Pōhutukawa, represented by a manu tukutuku (traditional Māori kite), a tribute to those who have passed and the enduring connection between the living and the spiritual worlds.
“This Matariki I felt most connected to Waipuna-ā-rangi, the star associated with rain,” says Kiel. “It represents renewal and growth. In our design, we’ve also used the raindrop as a symbol of roimata (tears), acknowledging loss and grief – experiences artists often process through creating.”
Whether worn as a constellation of charms or as a single piece chosen with intention, the collection gently reminds us that jewellery has always been at its most powerful when it tells a story.
Much like Matariki itself, the most meaningful stories are the ones we choose to carry with us.
Shop the Pandora x Dreamgirls Art Collective collaboration at pandora.net.
Words: Dan Ahwa.
Imagery: Supplied.
