Raranga Weaving sessions in Te Anau

Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust is hosting four Raranga/flax weaving drop-in sessions in Te Anau.

This community initiative is for weavers to come together to weave harakeke (flax), get to know each other, share their knowledge and skills in a supportive and inclusive setting.

This is aimed at people who already have some knowledge of weaving and have some projects they’d like to try or progress, but we will have a few spaces for beginners and are happy to help you get started on your weaving journey.

Taua Rangimāria Suddaby (Ngāi Tahu) will be hosting the sessions.

These drop-in sessions aim to foster a sense of community, providing an opportunity for individuals to come together, share knowledge, and engage in the rich cultural practice of Raranga/harakeke weaving. Our vision is to create an environment where weavers can connect, learn, and inspire each other, ultimately strengthening the fabric of our community. These sessions will also help foster an appreciation for harakeke as one of our taonga species. Rather than formal workshops, these sessions will encourage organic learning, allowing weavers to exchange ideas, techniques, and stories. The goal is to celebrate the diverse skills within our community and create a platform for the intergenerational transmission of weaving knowledge.

While these sessions are aimed at intermediate weavers who have prior experience, we can cater for some beginners per session - please enquire at info@tewaiaumahikakaitrust.co.nz. Registration is essential for beginners.

What is provided:

A venue where members of the community can come and weave together (the Te Anau Scout Hall);
There is harakeke available for weavers to harvest at the Scout Hall (weather permitting);
A facilitator, Rangimāria Suddaby, will be there to host the sessions, provide guidance on tīkanga, harvesting, and some simple weaving skills;
Some weaving instruction books will be available for reference (the four Kay Brown weaving books and “Fun with Flax”);
Tools are available to use. This includes craft knives, scissors, pegs, chopping boards, blunt knives for softening the strips, haehae or weaving comb for sizing harakeke,
Printouts with karakia and te reo words around raranga;
Tea/coffee/biscuits will be available.

Please bring: