Introduction to Harakeke

Join Māori designer and artist Matthew McIntyre Wilson for an introduction to harakeke, its properties and possibilities.

Harakeke, also known as New Zealand flax, is an evergreen perennial plant native to Aotearoa New Zealand. With tall, sword-like leaves, this large plant is common throughout the country, especially in wet areas. Harakeke sits at the heart of Māori weaving, representing a whānau (family). Many varieties were historically grown for specific purposes – to produce clothing, fishing nets, bindings, baskets, mats and more. Surprisingly, harakeke is commonplace on the east coast of Scotland and can often be seen in municipal garden schemes due to its hardy nature.

Using harakeke gathered from around Dundee, Matthew will share some traditional weaving techniques and chat more about his work to revitalise ancestral weaving knowledge to inform contemporary craft and design today. At the end of the day, you’ll go away with a better understanding of the cultural importance of harakeke, how to look after it, harvest it and its potential uses.

This workshop is a part of Textile Legacies, a residency programme that connects indigenous and ancestral textile practices between Whanganui, New Zealand, and Dundee to foster meaningful cultural and creative exchange, coordinated by UNESCO City of Design Dundee and UNESCO City of Design Whanganui. It is supported by the British Council New Zealand and the Pacific’s Connections Through Culture Programme and Scottish Government’s Scottish Connections Fund.