For 23-year-old Stuart Savage, TUARE is not just a creative business. It is a way to carry language, culture and memory through physical work.

Savage is the founder of TUARE, an art practice that combines tufting with te reo Māori and whakataukī. His handcrafted rugs and wall pieces turn language and design into bold, tactile works that sit somewhere between art, product and cultural storytelling.

Based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Savage has already attracted attention as part of a new generation of young New Zealand entrepreneurs building ventures around meaning rather than just scale. His Instagram profile describes him as a rug maker from Tāmaki Makaurau.

TUARE was named after the special name Savage's late father called him. That personal connection sits at the heart of the business. For Savage, the work is about legacy as much as income.

The business model blends commissioned pieces, passion projects and future workshops. Savage has said commissions help sustain the practice, while workshops would allow him to create spaces where people can try tufting and engage with te reo Māori in a safe, interactive environment.

TUARE recently received $20,000 in prize funding and mentorship through BNZ's Art of the Start initiative, giving Savage support to expand his studio, refine his craft and develop community workshops.

What makes TUARE interesting as a small business is that it does not fit the usual start-up script. It is not chasing scale at any cost. It is a creative venture built around identity, careful use of language, craft and long-term impact.

For Auckland's small business scene, TUARE shows that entrepreneurship can look different. It can be cultural. It can be handmade. And it can still have commercial strength.