Kope Tautaiao

Reusable Cloth Nappies

Reusable nappies that care for your pēpi, your pūtea, and Papatūānuku.

Caring for Pēpi, Protecting Papatūānuku

Kope Tautaiao is a kaupapa Māori workshop that supports whānau, kaiako, and early childhood centres to explore the benefits of reusable nappies. Rooted in aroha for our mokopuna and our whenua, this short wānanga offers cultural insight and practical tools to reduce waste, save money, and care for our pēpi in a way that honours te taiao.

Even one kope tautaiao a day can make a meaningful difference — for your whare, your pūtea, and Papatūānuku.

One Change a Day — How You Can Make an Impact

Through this kaupapa, you’ll gain:

An understanding of what kope tautaiao are and why they’re better for Papatūānuku
Guidance on how to use, wash, and care for modern reusable nappies
Insights into kōrero tuku iho — how our tūpuna cared for pēpi
Awareness of how giving pēpi time out of kope supports their māramatanga tinana (body awareness)
Practical waste-reduction tips for whānau and kaiako alike

Why Reusables Matter for Whenua and Whānau

A pēpi can use around 5,500 disposable kope by the age of 2.5
Disposable kope make up 50–60% of weekly waste for many whānau and early learning centres
Each disposable nappy can take 500+ years to break down
$4,500 per child is the average spend on disposables — kope tautaiao can reduce this significantly
Swapping even one disposable per day for a reusable one would prevent 1 million nappies from going to landfill in Aotearoa every week

This kaupapa isn’t just about nappies — it’s about reclaiming mana motuhake in how we care for our pēpi and our taiao.

What the Wānanga Looks Like

Kope Tautaiao is a 30-minute hands-on session, designed to be simple, empowering, and welcoming for all.

Facilitators share:

A demonstration of modern kope tautaiao (no pins or soaking!)
Space for open kōrero, honest questions, and myth-busting
Tips and tricks that make cloth nappy use easy in real life
Reflections on tūpuna wisdom around reuse, care, and environmental balance

Workshops are ideal for whānau, early childhood centres, and kaiako.

From Disposable Habits to Conscious Care

We know disposables are often seen as the easier option. But they come at a long-term cost — to our pūtea, our landfills, and our mokopuna’s future.

This wānanga helps break down the barriers and whakamā, showing how even small changes can have a lasting impact. With the right support, kope tautaiao are not only easy — they’re an act of aroha for generations to come.

Let’s Start With One Nappy

Interested in making the switch to kope tautaiao?

Whether you’re a whānau member, kaiako, or early learning centre wanting to reduce waste, we’d love to support you. Reach out to connect with a local wānanga or kōrero with our team.

Contact us to find a wānanga near you.