Harakeke Restoration

Harakeke regeneration

Tikanga Harakeke

Harakeke Regeneration

Embracing Te Ao Māori, we partner with mana whenua and mataawaka Māori to understand how Mātauranga Māori can improve environmental outcomes for the area and incorporate this into our work, to help restore the taiao whenua, awa, puna and tangaroa. Regenerating areas of harakeke in the reserves we work in is a key aspect of our activities, helping to inspire and educate our community of volunteers to draw on both science and Mātauranga Māori in their stewardship of the environment.

Tikanga

Harakeke holds a special place in Te Ao Māori, a taonga woven into the practices, tikanga and stories passed down through generations. To honour this, we've created a video exploring the cultural practices that guide the care and harvesting of harakeke.

Ngā mihi nui to Takutai Moana Watts, Kaiāwhina Kaitiaki, for sharing her knowledge to bring this video to life. With experience teaching traditional raranga techniques and sustainable harvesting grounded in Te Ao Māori, and training in tikanga and wharekai, Takutai ensures these practices are upheld and passed on with care.

We invite our community to deepen their connection with harakeke, not only as a plant to regenerate, but as a living taonga to respect, nurture and learn from.

Regeneration

Our Pā Harakeke alongside our nursery, is a living taonga, restored and cared for so it can thrive for the wider community. Through our Caring for Harakeke programme, volunteers work alongside te taiao practitioners to continue regenerating the pā.

The work is hands-on: weeding and tending the site, caring for existing harakeke, splitting and replanting select plants to expand the pā. Our workshops bring the community together to learn harakeke tikanga while contributing to real restoration. Tikanga Harakeke signage along the pā shares karakia, plant knowledge and tikanga on harvesting, strengthening the site as both a healthy, biodiverse space and a place to connect with mātauranga Māori.

Raranga

Raranga is a practice deeply rooted in Te Ao Māori and carried through generations. Our raranga workshops bring together communities, schools and academic institutions to share the tikanga that surrounds harakeke maintenance and weaving.

Every session begins with karakia and tikanga, grounded first in caring for the plants. Students learn how harakeke blades are cut on an angle to prevent water buildup and how much can be appropriately harvested from a stand to keep it thriving. Once harvested, the careful work of processing begins: trimming, sizing and softening the harakeke until it is ready for weaving.