Matariki Weaving Wānanga

Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust, in partnership with Te Anau Waitangi Day Charitable Trust, are holding a Matariki Weaving Wānanga (workshop) at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu Lodge on the 21st to 23rd July 2023.

Join Kairaranga Matua Des Cooper and Kaiako Tāua Rangimaria Suddaby at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu Lodge in the Jericho Valley for a wānanga (workshop) to learn the traditional Māori practice of raranga / harakeke weaving.

The wānanga includes:

A 2.5 day weaving workshop suitable for beginners
Two nights at Te Kōawa Lodge
Kai and refreshments for the weekend
A Matariki celebration evening

Cost for the weekend is $65. Limited spaces so booking is essential.

Participants who are able to attend for the entire wānanga programme will benefit the most from this kaupapa. If you need to arrive late or leave early, please let us know.

This wānanga is aimed at beginners with no prior knowledge of raranga.

Limited spaces so booking is essential. This wānanga is aimed at adults, but rangatahi (age 13+) who want to learn raranga/weaving are welcome with a caregiver.

Programme

Friday 21 July

Participants are welcome to arrive from 5.30pm.

6pm Mihi whakatau (welcome)

Potluck dinner

Introductions, tīkanga

Saturday 22 July

8am - breakfast

9am - 4pm Raranga (weaving) Wānanga, including:

Tīkanga (traditions, protocols) of raranga
How to identify, harvest and prepare harakeke for weaving, in accordance with traditional Māori practices
How to care for a Pā Harakeke (flax plantation)
Weaving a kōnae (small basket), and whetū (stars) to celebrate Matariki
Basic Te Reo around weaving, a karakia and a waiata
No prior weaving experience necessary.

Saturday evening

We will celebrate Matariki with a kōrero about Matariki and it’s importance, some purākau (stories) about the Takitimu Maunga, and enjoy a hangi and bonfire (weather permitting).

Sunday 23 July

8:00am - breakfast

9:00am - 3:00pm

More raranga/weaving using skills from the first day.
Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust will give a presentation about the Te Kōawa Mahinga Kai Restoration Project.

Accomodation

The accommodation is in bunk rooms, and participants need to bring their own bedding/sleeping bag and their own pillow. For more details on the Lodge please see Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust website.

Tamariki

The wānanga is for people aged 13 years and older. It is not suitable for young tamariki. Rangatahi aged 13+ are welcome to attend with a caregiver.

What to bring

Please bring the following to the Wānanga:

Craft knife (named)
Flax knife if you have one (for harvesting harakeke)
Gardening gloves, outdoor shoes or gumboots - for tidying up the Pā Harakeke
Slippers or indoor shoes (optional)
Some kai to share for potluck dinner on Friday night
Sleeping bag or duvet, pillow/pillow case, and bottom sheet to cover the mattress in the bunkroom
Hottie (optional)