One of the activities to focus on Maori Language Week this year, introduced the international parents to the art of weaving harakiekie.
The class talked about the importance and significance of the flax bush to Maori Culture, starting with the respect shown to harakiekie and the reasons behind cutting the leaves from the outside of the bush first.
Green lipped mussel shells, saved from the cooking class the previous day,were used to show how the outer green layer can be scraped off the flax leaf to expose the white fibre inside. The Maori used this fibre in a variety of ways including weaving and rope making.
There was a lot of interest in trying to weave putiputi or decorative flax flowers and parents were very proud of their finished products.
