A woman who burned down part of her rented home made the victim a korowai as reparation.
Julie Hoeta was living in the Heads Rd house on November 17 last year when she lit the fire, Judge David Cameron said in the Whanganui District Court on Monday.
Hoeta, 47, was depressed at the time, the court heard.
The bedroom and hallway were burned, while other parts of the house were badly damaged.
The building was destroyed in the fire and the landlord was not planning to rebuild it.
"His hope is that the defendant receives appropriate counselling for her difficulties," Judge Cameron said.
The total insurance cost was $95,600, and the victim had to pay $1000 excess.
He agreed to accept a woven korowai from Hoeta instead of money.
Defence lawyer Debbie Goodlet said the Maori cloak, made with 2600 chicken feathers, was "quite spectacular".
"There's a story behind the pattern and colours," Ms Goodlet said.
"I'm advised, sir, that the cloak has taken over six months of Ms Hoeta's time to complete."
She said the cloaks, which Hoeta taught others how to make in her spare time, sold for between $3000-$5000 each.
Hoeta and the victim agreed on the korowai as reparation during a "very successful" Restorative Justice programme.
She pleaded guilty to arson and was sentenced to six months of community detention, with a curfew of 10pm-8am.