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Harakeke or New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax), also sometimes called korari, is a versatile plant used by the Māori to make baskets (keta), mats, nets, pui pui (skirts), cords and other items.  Māori have many tikanga (rituals and customs) governing growing and preparing harakeke.  Today talented artists around the country are carrying on these traditions. There are more than one hundred different varieties of the plant; some are more suitable than others for weaving. 
Manaaki Whenua (Landcare Research): National New Zealand Flax Collection

   
   
           
A good place to see some varieties of harakeke used by weavers is Te Pā Harakeke o Te Iwi in Henderson, 13 km west of downtown Auckland.
 



Opanuku Stream   -   Project Twin Streams, Waitakere

Te Pa Harakeke O Te lwi

Ka ora te rito o te harakeke, ka ora te manawa o ngā uri whenua
(If the harakeke (flax) seeds are well then the hearts of the next
generations connected to them will be also)

In past times, harakeke was integral to the Māori way of life. Baskets, floor mats, nets, traps, clothing, ropes and fishing lines were all woven from flax. The dried flower stalks were lashed together to make rafts and the gum and roots were used medicinally. The plant's nectar was used as a sweetener and continues to be enjoyed by the beautiful Tui and Korimako (bellbird).

Traditional skills have been kept alive by Māori weavers informed by the wairua (spirituality), aroha (love) and creative genius of weavers of old. Weaving with harakeke is hugely popular today with an increasing demand for high quality plant resources. This place is to be a source of harakeke for weavers and of education and enjoyment for all.

Te Pa Harakeke o Te Iwi stands on parkland owned by Waitakere City Council and is part of the city's Green Network. It has been developed, and is managed by, the Corban Estate Weaving Circle with assistance from Project Twin Streams Opanuku Stream.

Most of the flax growing here was gifted by Manaaki Whenua (Landcare Research) from the Rene Orchiston Collection of special heritage flax cultivars chosen for their traditionaI value in weaving.

Harakeke has also been gifted by Te Kawerau A Maki, Tangata Whenua (original people of this land)

Harakeke is a taonga (treasure). Harvest is always accompanied by special tikanga (protocols) based on cultural and spiritual understanding which protects the wellbeing of the plant and of the harvester. For this reason weavers need to obtain permission to harvest from Te Pa Harakeke o Te lwi

For more information or to obtain permission to harvest please contact MPHS:
info@mphs.org.nz or phone 09 838 4820

[ed note: Waitakere City was incorporated into Auckland Council in Nov. 2010]

MPHS Community Trust

Opanuku Stream - Project Twin Streams

Te Kawerau A Maki

Corban Estate Arts Centre

Irma E. Webber manuscript "Phormium"