Introduction to Harakeke

Saturday 11 April, 10am – 4pm

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.

What to Bring

You are not required to bring anything to the workshop but, should you wish to learn more about harakeke ahead of the session, we’d recommend this article from the Museum of New Zealand.

Lunch will be provided; please ensure you provide your dietary requirements when booking. This workshop is run at a relaxed pace with time for breaks – tea and coffee will be available throughout the day.

About the Tutor

Matthew McIntyre Wilson (Taranaki, Ngā Māhanga, Tītahi) is a practitioner whose work brings together Māori cultural practices, museological inquiry, and contemporary craft. Based in Whanganui, Aotearoa, his practice is grounded in a sustained commitment to revitalising ancestral knowledge while expanding the possibilities of object-making today. Trained initially as a jeweller at Whitireia Polytechnic and Hawke’s Bay Polytechnic, his early focus on fine metalwork later converged with the weaving knowledge he learned under the guidance of master weaver and close friend Rangi Kiu. This convergence created a distinct practice in which jewellery and fibre technologies intertwine, enabling him to create intricately woven forms such as kete, tātua, armbands, and kākahu using both customary and contemporary materials.

Image credit

Matthew McIntyre Wilson, ‘Whatu Atu, Whatu Mai, Following the Thread of Knowledge through Hīnaki, Korotete, and Kupenga’ at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui