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.

Takutai Moana Watts, Kaiawhina Kaitiaki

To support these goals Kaipātiki Projects’ raranga programmes and maintenance of local harakeke is led by Takutai, who has experience in teaching students traditional weaving techniques and sustainable harvesting techniques used in Te Ao Māori. Takutai is trained in tikanga and wharekai, and ensures tikanga (cultural practices, protocols and procedures) are followed and adhered to in the running of our Harakeke programmes.

Takutai is passionate about this work and shares her knowledge freely with our volunteers, workshop participants and the City Mission Street Guardian group who learn how caring for the local harakeke is an important part of their duties, and they can do so following tikanga.

Raranga 

We host raranga workshops from our EcoHub, and work with schools and academic institutions to teach tikanga around harakeke maintenance and weaving. Covering karakia and funda

mental protocol, we always begin with caring for the plants. Students are taught how the blades of harakeke are cut on an angle to prevent water buildup and the amount that can be appropriately harvested from a stand of harakeke. When all blades have been harvested, the careful processing begins with trimming, sizing and softening of harakeke ready for weaving.

We appreciate the support from our funders, thank you!