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This page features extracts from recorded interviews with Christine Heremaia and Ranui Ngarimu speaking about Janet Stewart reserve, its pā harakeke, ‘te korari’ and weaving.

Ranui Ngarimu (Kati Māmoe / Ngāi Tahu / Ngāti Mutunga) has had an interest in weaving since she was a child. She is an expert weaver and is involved in the restoration of kākahu for a number of prominent Ngāi Tahu whānau. When interviewed in 2005 she was the Chair of the national weavers collective Te Rōpū Raranga Whatu O Aotearoa.

Christine Heremaia works in the Greenspace Unit at Christchurch City Council. She is the Styx Project Area leader and has been extensively involved in waterways and wetlands management including the establishment of Janet Stewart Reserve.

Janet Stewart Reserve: Pā Harakeke

Cross the Styx River bridge on Marshlands Road and one catches a fleeting glimpse of a mass of green blades - a lush plantation of harakeke. In early winter, the blackened korari flower heads appear etched against the sky. Pūrākaunui (the Styx River) meanders through this 1.9 hectare roadside oasis which provides a tranquil repose for visitors and native wildlife alike.

The Janet Stewart Reserve was officially named in 1996. Since that time, the flat, willow bordered paddock has been transformed into a thriving habitat for bush and wetland birds. The Reserve is on land generously bequeathed to Christchurch City Council by Edmond Stewart on condition that it be developed as a public reserve and named after his mother Janet. The restoration of natural landscape features in Janet Stewart Reserve is part of the wider Styx River project which involves the ongoing development of a Styx Mill Conservation Reserve. The final form of the Janet Stewart Reserve evolved to include the creation of a lake, jetty, walkways and car park. Native plantings were used to provide a habitat feature for the reserve. The boxed waterway was released to form a large pond that was surrounded by riparian planting.

‘Te Korari’ a Pā Harakeke

Janet Stewart Reserve incorporates an extensive Pā Harakeke (harakeke garden) named Te Korari which is a taonga (treasure) for the Christchurch weaving community. The council worked closely with a group of local weavers and Landcare Research in the planting of this pā harakeke - a planted area of special flaxes and toetoe suitable for traditional Māori weaving. (The Toetoe has since been removed). Te Korari is one of a number of Pā Harakeke plantings being established on reserves around Christchurch for weaving purposes. The harakeke at Janet Stewart originates from plants in the Foxton flax milling area. They were initially grown in Christchurch as part of a research project and when no longer needed, were transferred for planting at Janet Stewart Reserve in 1998.

Several varieties of harakeke (phormium tenax) and wharariki (phormium cookianum) grow at the reserve. Harakeke has a strong fibre and is traditionally used for making whāriki (mats), kete, paraerae (sandals) and the fibre (whītau or muka) is extracted for kākahu (cloak) making. Wharariki has softer more pliable leaves that are prized for use in smaller more delicate work. Some of the readily identifiable varieties of harakeke growing in Te Korari at the Janet Stewart Reserve are Kohunga, Ruapani, Taeore and Makaweroa.

Whakatauki/Proverb
Ka nui te Harakeke, ka ua te ua.
When the harakeke plants are plentiful, it is a sign of much rain.

Harakeke History

Harakeke was prized by Māori and used for a multitude of purposes. Woven garments incorporating harakeke were worn by most people. The harakeke fibre was used for ropes, fishing lines and net making, the plant’s nectar was used as a sweetener, the dried flower stalks were lashed together to make mōkihi (rafts), and the pia (gum) and boiled roots were used for medicinal purposes.

Harakeke was later recognised by European settlers for its superior value as a fibre. The hardy harakeke plant was incorrectly labelled ‘flax’ by the newcomers ‘flax’ mills extracted the fibre for export overseas in what became a very lucrative market. Harakeke/wharariki is of the genus Phormium and is a leaf fibre while Flax is of the genus Linum and is a bast fibre (fibre comes from the stem). The two plants have no relationship to each other. Those involved in the resurgence of traditional weaving encourage use of the correct terminology ie. Harakeke/Wharariki, not flax. Harakeke is native to New Zealand, Tasmania and Norfolk Island.

Harvesting Harakeke

There are many cultural and spiritual elements associated with harakeke, its harvesting and its uses. It is very important to understand and recognise the indigenous knowledge associated with the plant. The tikanga around harvesting harakeke is grounded in commonsense and protects the welfare of both the harvester and the harakeke plant itself. Māori usually say a karakia (prayer) when harvesting leaves for use. In the karakia thanks is given for the plant as well as asking that no harm come to the plant, to the harvester or to whoever will work with the cut material or the finished article. The karakia focuses the mind on the task at hand and acknowledges the harakeke as a taonga.

Tikanga (custom)

1. Never cut leaves when korari (flower stalks) are growing.
2. Both sides of the plant are left balanced after cutting
3. Traditionally pregnant or menstruating women do not harvest harakeke; at this time they are in a state of ‘Tapu’.
4. You should not try to harvest harakeke if you are unwell as illness and disease also destroy tapu.
5. Harakeke should be harvested during the day when the blades are dry, not at night or in the rain or frost - as a safety measure but also as doing so will effect the quality of the harakeke making it very brittle.

The most important aspect of harvesting harakeke is ensuring that the blades are cut correctly.

Māori speak about the harakeke bush as a whānau (family group) Harakeke grows in a fanlike pattern the rito or ‘baby’ leaf at the centre of the fan is identified as a tamaiti ‘child’ and the awhi rito ‘parent’ leaves which flank it on either side are the guardians. This group of leaves are never taken. Only the leaves third or preferably fourth from the centre, considered as the tupuna ‘grandparent’ leaves are cut. This way the whakapapa of the plant is protected because the rito ‘baby’ and its awhi rito ‘parents’ are retained to produce further ‘generations’ of growth - through sustainable harvesting the plant will continue to flourish. The whānau share common roots and derive strength and stability from forming part of a larger whole.

Whakatauki/proverb
E hara taku toa, I te toa takitahi ēngari he toa taku tini
My strength is not from myself alone, but from the strength of the group

Raranga (weaving)

In early times the art of weaving was essential to Māori. The whāriki (mat) for covering the floors of the whare, the kete or kono for carrying kai, the hīnaki (trap) for snaring eels, the piupiu and the korowai to clothe and adorn the body, and the tukutuku - the decorative panels on the walls in a meeting house were all woven using harakeke. This marvelous and various plant grows in abundance here at this Pā harakeke, Te Korari in the Janet Stewart Reserve.

'Weaving is acknowledged as having its own life force, and is accorded a level of respect depending on the mana of the weaver and the qualities of the weaving process'

Aitia te wāhine i roto i te Pā Harakeke
bond with women who work with Harakeke
(for she will prosper)

Karakia / Whakatauki

Hutia te rito
o te harakeke
Kei whea, te kāmako e ko
Ki mai ki ahau
He aha te mea nui
o tenei ao
Maku e ki atu
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

When the heart is torn
from the flax bush
where will the Bell bird sing?
You ask me
what is the greatest thing
on Earth
My reply is
it is people people people

This whakatauki defines the human person as the most important element in the universe. It is quoted often in speeches and whaikōrero to emphasize the mana and tapu of humankind. It also acknowledges human fragility, interdependence and dependence on other parts of the creation: if you pluck out the heart of the flax bush where would the bellbird sing.

Acknowledgements

The Janet Stewart Reserve development was achieved in partnership with the Stewart family, Christchurch City Council, Shirley/Papanui Community Board Burwood/Pegasus Community Board, Waiora Trust, Landcare Research, Local Weavers group -Te Korari, the local Scout Group, The Guardians of the Styx and members of the wider local community.

A permit is required to harvest flax from this area.
To obtain a permit or more information about the pā harakeke please contact Christchurch City Council.

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Sources

• Ngairimu, Ranui. Interview by Helen Brown. Te Wai Pounamu House, Christchurch, DAT recording, 14 June 2005.
• Heremaia, Christine. Recording by Helen Brown. Christchurch City Council Building, DAT recording, 9 June 2005.

Links

• Styx Project
• Making a putiputi
• Pūawaitanga o te Ringa - Fruits of our busy hands a series of tukutuku panels
• A Whāriki for Parklands Library weaving a whāriki using harakeke
• Weaving Plants - this page from Landcare Research looks at the biology, ecology, distribution, threats to and propagation of weaving plants