Harakeke – the weaving varieties
Aohanga flower
Manaaki Whenua is kaitiaki of a collection of traditional weaving varieties of harakeke (NZ flax, Phormium spp.) donated by Rene Orchiston of Gisborne.
The 50 harakeke were selected long ago from natural stands and cultivated by Māori weavers for their special leaf and fibre properties. There are varieties specially suited to making kete, whariki, piupiu and cloaks.
Divisions of the harakeke are distributed on request to marae, schools, weavers and community groups wishing to establish a weaving resource.
Rene Orchiston Collection Catalogue:
A catalogue of the collection is available in a variety of formats:
- Free download - Harakeke – The Rene Orchiston Collection, 3rd edition (
2MB) - Pre-printed and bound - Harakeke – The Rene Orchiston Collection, 3rd edition, available from Manaaki Whenua Press.
- Descriptions of the weaving varieties with images to show distinguishing features can be viewed on-line and downloaded.
DNA fingerprinting reveals identical harakeke varieties in the Orchiston Collection
DNA fingerprinting has revealed what we long suspected. Several of the cultivars in the Orchiston Collection are identical, even though they have different names.
Read more »
Establishing a pā harakeke
A pa harakeke is a planting of selected varieties of harakeke (Phormium spp., New Zealand flax), chosen for their muka (fibre) or raranga (weaving/plaiting) qualities. Cultivating harakeke is a way to ensure vigorous, healthy bushes that will provide high quality leaf material for weaving.
Read more »
Insect pests and diseases of harakeke
Harakeke is home to several insects, rusts and moulds. Some of these are a nuisance for weavers wanting good quality unblemished leaves. Yellow-leaf disease is the most serious and will kill a harakeke plant.
Read more »
Other weaving plants
A variety of other plants are also used for weaving.
- For more information go to http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/plants/weaving/
Microscopic images
To see microscopic images of leaf images and cross-sections of some harakeke selections
He Kōrero Kōrari
Manaaki Whenua scientists have had a long collaboration with Māori weavers in research on the characteristics of weaving plants.
In 1995 experimental plantings of traditional weaving varieties of harakeke were established at 10 sites throughout New Zealand to find out what effect environmental conditions had on their growth and weaving qualities. Samples were assessed by weavers in 2000 and 2001.
Trial progress and results were recorded in a newsletter He Kōrero Kōrari, along with broader information on harakeke and other weaving plants, especially tī kouka (cabbage trees, Cordyline australis).
Available issues:
- He Korero Kōrari Issue 13, November 2004 (3MB) reviews the harakeke evaluation trial 1994 – 2002. It contains information from newsletters that are now out of print. Printed copies are available on request.
- He Korero Kōrari Issue 12, June 2002 (2.73MB). This issue has an account of a wānanga on tī kouka held at Manaaki Whenua and Ngāti Moki Marae, Taumutu.
- He Korero Kōrari Issue 11, November 2001 (2.26MB)
- He Korero Kōrari Issue 10, April 2001 (1.41MB)
Scientific papers:
The following scientific papers include information on the cultural uses of harakeke, and results from the evaluation trial of cultivars in the Orchiston collection.
Harris W, Scheele SM, Forrester GJ, Pahewa E, Te Kanawa K, Murray M 2009. Varietal and environmental influences on the properties of strands prepared from Phormium leaves to make the Maori garment piupiu. New Zealand Journal of Botany, volume 47: 249-269.
Smith GJ, Chadwick R, Konese N, Scheele S, Tauwhare SE, Weston RJ 2008. Photodegradation of Phormium tenax fibres: the role of naturally occurring coumarins. In: Hayward M, Kramer E ed. Textiles and Text: Re-establishing the links between archival and object-based research: Postprints: Archetype Publications. Pp. 264-268.
Harris W, Scheele SM, Forrester GJ, Murray M, Te Kanawa K, Pahewa E 2007. Varietal differences and environmental effects on the characteristics of leaf strips of Phormium prepared for traditional Maori plaiting. New Zealand Journal of Botany 45 (1): 111-137.
Wehi PM, Clarkson BD 2007. Biological Flora of New Zealand 10. Phormium tenax, harakeke, New Zealand flax. New Zealand Journal of Botany 45: 521-544.
Tauwhare SEK, Newman RH, Scheele S, Kanawa RT 2006. Chemotaxonomy of Phormium based on sugar-residue analyses of the leaf exudates. New Zealand Journal of Botany 44: 129-133.
Harris W, Scheele SM, Forrester GJ, Peltzer DA 2005. Varietal differences and environmental effects on leaves of Phormium harvested for traditional Maori weaving. New Zealand Journal of Botany 43(4): 791–896
Harris W, Scheele SM, Brown CE, Sedcole JR 2005. Ethnobotanical study of growth of Phormium varieties used for traditional Maori weaving. New Zealand Journal of Botany 43(1): 83–118.
Newman RH, Tauwhare SEK, Scheele S, Te Kanawa R 2005. Leaf-fiber lignins of Phormium varieties compared by solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy. Holzforschung 59(2): 147–152.
McBreen K, Lockhart PJ, Mclenachan PA, Scheele S, Robertson AW 2003. The use of molecular techniques to resolve relationships among traditional weaving cultivars of Phormium. New Zealand Journal of Botany 41(2): 301–310
King M 2003. Phormium tenax (Agavaceae) leaf anatomy effects on fibre extraction by the Maori haro method. New Zealand Journal of Botany 41: 571–578
Harris W, Woodcock-Sharp MTUA 2000. Extraction, content, strength, and extension of Phormium variety fibres prepared for traditional Maori weaving. New Zealand Journal of Botany 38: 469-487.
King MJ, Vincent JF, Harris W 1996. Curling and folding of leaves of monocotyledons: a strategy for structural stiffness. New Zealand Journal of Botany 34: 411-416.
Primary Contact:
 | Sue Scheele Email  |
Landcare Research | |
Phone: +64 3 321 9999 |
