My name is Fay LYNETTE FAULU SIPLEY WALKER

NZ BORN NIUEAN

Parents migrated from Niue in the 1960’s for a better life in NZ. My father FOHE UEA  SIPLEY-SIPELI and my mother WINMILLS VEMOA SIPELI  were born in Niue from the village of Liku and had 5 daughters.

My mother was an amazing weaver taught by her sister in law MALO TULISI my dad's sister ,together they weaved and travelled the world showcasing their fine weaving skills and products that ranged from kato to mata iili to flax weaving small kete 

Growing up and seeing my mother weave various beautiful things I would always just watch but had no interest in sitting with her to weave my eldest sister Pepe Sipley Siligi was always with mum learning the arts of arts and crafts taught by our late mother Winmills I was more interested in playing hopscotch and elastics outside with my younger sibling Ann  Sipley Carey as we were the youngest.

I am left handed  and as I got older I recall so my mum said she couldn’t teach me because she was right handed and found it difficult to teach me but I was determined to prove her wrong. I wanted to learn how to crochet and asked her to teach me. She sighed at first but agreed. Those days we were taught visually, no instructions. But a keen eye to detail that’s what I had. I watched and watched as she started me off and then I figured out my own way that worked for me with great surprise to my mother. 

My journey for weaving these Kato as we call them in Niue started in July 2024 . My sister Pepe is a part of a niuean group TUPUMAIAGA GROUP that my mother help established. I discovered that day I wanted to carry on my mums legacy of weaving and love, creating new Kato that reflect my Niuean heritage .

It is also very therapeutic for our well being and excellent for our mental health and keeping fit as well. I can see why arts and crafts was so enjoyed and practiced in our family.

I would like to pass this on by teaching this important Taonga.

Fay Walker