Māori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand. As a Māori company, we have a strong spiritual connection to the land, to our culture and a tradition of kaitiakitanga—guardianship of our natural resources. Aronui is inspired by the Māori mythological basket of knowledge associated with crafts, arts and working with the land in beneficial ways. We felt that this name reflected our intention to make premium wines that echo the beautiful lands in which the grapes are grown. Kōwhaiwhai is the ancient Māori tradition of painted pattern-making. These symmetrical designs decorate the rafters of the elaborately adorned where tupuna (house of ancestor) and represent lineage, ancestry and the story of generations. In the spirit of this tradition, Aronui celebrates the kōwhaiwhai pattern. Within our logo, the pattern is silhouetted within the rolling hills of the Moutere Valley, with the sun rising above. As well as growing superb grapes in our vineyard, we have significant plantings of New Zealand native species. We protect existing ecosystems and are involved in annual plantings to enhance them. The practice of nurturing and giving back to the land is paramount to our beliefs and culture. Our vineyards are certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.