Buying Tivaevae in Rarotonga

I would like to buy a tivaetivae for our bed when I am in Rarotonga later this year and was wondering if anyone knows where I can get my hands on one. I would prefer not to buy one through a tourist type shop and would like a handcrafted one rather than machine applique. Buying one from the woman who made it or from a shop with proceeds going to a charitable group would be perfect. Thank you :)

Being a quilter I was also interested in finding out more about tivaevaes while in the Cooks. I was able to come up with the name of Mrs. Vereana Maeva on Rarotonga who was said to be somewhat of an authority on the art. I did not get a chance to contact her as we went directly to Aututaki where I did see some in the local tourist shops. They were lovely but too expensive for me. This was in 2006 so I do not know if she will still be available. I also have contact numbers for her which I'm not sure are still current. If you would like the numbers please PM me. Hope this helps!

Mrs. Maeva, who lives in the village of Arroangi, would have tivaevae available. The craft shops at the back of the market also sell them. A nice queen size tivaevae will cost about NZ$1,000, (about US$600.) Yes, they are expensive. A cheaper option would be a wall hanging which are also available at the market. They vary in size. Another cheaper option is a printed bed sheet with a tivaevae pattern. Yes, they're made overseas but are lovely. A queen cost NZ$45 at the Treasurer Chest in town.

We got ours from the markets directly from the lady who made them. We got one as we were getting married on Motu koromiri the next week.
I think ours was about $300NZ for a queen size one but that was back in 2001.

I bought a Tivaevae from a lady that has a stall in the Market, her name was Ina, she is there all the time and even teaches how to do the tivaevae. I went there the first day I arrived, and asked her if she would make me one. She sent me to the store to buy the materials and even let me help her do some of it. It cost me $400 NZ, which I thought was a really good price.

It takes a while to do, so if you are going to be on the island for at least 3 weeks, you can go this route, otherwise you'll have to buy one already made. Make sure to ask whether it was hand done or machine done. I can guarantee that the proceeds won't go to charity, these women are very talented and they need the money, they can't afford to give it away to charity.

Have a great vacation.

Thanks for the replies. I'm actually in contact with Mrs Maeva for something else so I will ask her about tivaevae. It's great to know I can buy directly from the maker. I don't want to buy one from a tourist shop where the maker doesn't receive much of the money if you know what I mean. I've seen them in NZ for between $3000 - $4000, my husband knows I love them but I'd have a hard time getting him to part with that kind of money! $400 - $1000 is much more manageable.