The National New Zealand Flax Collection (incorporating the Orchiston Collection)

Manaaki Whenua is kaitiaki of a collection of traditional weaving cultivars of harakeke (NZ flax, Phormium spp.) donated by Rene Orchiston of Gisborne.

The 50 harakeke were selected long ago from natural populations and cultivated by weavers for their special leaf and fibre properties. There are varieties specially suited to making kete, whariki, piupiu and cloaks. Other harakeke of cultural or historic significance have since been added to the collection.

Divisions of the harakeke are distributed on request to marae, schools, weavers and community groups wishing to establish a weaving resource.

Maori weavers are also active partners with Manaaki Whenua in a research project to evaluate the weaving characteristics of harakeke in the collection.

Issue 13 of He Kōrero Kōrari 13 (3MB Acrobat file) has a report on the harakeke evaluation trial 1994 – 2002. This trial looked at measuring the environmental effects such as soil and climate on plant form, growth and the weaving properties of harakeke varieties.

A catalogue of the collection is available free here Harakeke – The Rene Orchiston Collection, 3rd edition (2MB Acrobat file ) or for purchase pre-printed and bound from Manaaki Whenua Press.

For further information, contact Sue Scheele. Email

Ngaro cultivar — a traditional variety used widely in the flax industry

Weaver Kahu Te Kanawa