My story with harakeke began in 2001. A friend came to visit and remarked on the harakeke growing in my garden. I told her that one day I'd like to learn to weave. She said "you don't know how to weave? Here I'll show you" We collected some harakeke and she showed me how to make a kono. I was immediately captured by the weaving bug and have continued to weave something everyday ever since.

Raranga harakeke is such a wonderful gift. It is a constant journey of discovery. There is so much to know about harakeke and its bounty knows no end.

Harakeke grows well in the garden. Trimming the plant will keep it free of pests. It has been used for such a long time that it seems to expect to be looked after by a dedicated weaver.

You can harvest throughout the year however late summer is always the best time. Over the centuries tikanga / culture has developed about the right way to collect harakeke. Do not cut the rito and awhi rito, which is, the new growth consiting of the three leaves in the centre of a fan of harakeke. They are essential to maintain the future of the plant.

Avoid cutting in the rain as the leaves are more brittle and harder.
Cut the leaves from the inside out from the middle fan and downward as low as possible.

Trim butt end if it  is too long after cutting,  leaving at least 20cm from where the two halves of the leaf are still together.

Clear away any waste material and dispose of in a place where all your waste material can compost.

 A History of Raranga Harakeke

"Aitia te wahine o te pa harakeke"

“Support the woman who is always at the flax bush for she is an expert worker and an industrious person"

Harakeke/Flax

Flax  Fibre  Future

The main flax used for weaving is Phormium tenax, or harakeke, a lowland or swamp flax. It is not a true flax though their fibres are similar it actually belongs to the Lily family.

 ITS USE IN TRADITIONAL MAORI LIFE

Throughout human settlement of Aotearoa/New Zealand the native harakeke/flax has been of immense importance. For Pre-european Maori muka/fibre from harakeke was a main source for clothing, rope, matting,and containers. The gum and root were known and used widely for their medicinal properties. The sweet nectar from the flowers was also used.

In European times, harakeke/flax formed the basis of a large industry providing local and world markets with rope, fabric and otherfibre products.  The introduction of synthetic fibres in the 1920's saw the demise of the flax industry although it was still produced industrially until 1980's.

With the current resurgence in traditional Maori Weaving harakeke is regaining its prominence as a useful plant

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PLANT

Plants are highly variable in their characteristics. There are two species Phormium Tenax known as Harakeke lowland or swamp flax and Phormium Cookianum coastal or mountain flax known as Wharariki.

Harakeke has many dozens of different entities each with its own characteristics, its own specific uses and own names.

Wharariki has soft droopy leaves is strong and used for making green weaving containers and is good for leaners to weave.

Varieties /cultivars were selected by Maori over centuries, for their particular qualities, strength, softness, durability, colour and quantity of fibre. They were cultivated and traded.