Join Kaiako Tāua Rangimaria Suddaby and Kairaranga Matua Des Cooper at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu Lodge in the Jericho Valley for a wānanga (workshop) to learn the traditional Māori practice of raranga - harakeke/flax weaving.

The wānanga includes:

A two-day weaving workshop suitable for beginners
An overnight stay at Te Kōawa Lodge
Kai and refreshments for the weekend
An educational Matariki celebration evening
Participation in the Te Kōawa Mahinga Kai Restoration Project with a tree planting session

Limited spaces so booking is essential. This wānanga is aimed at adults, but rangatahi (age 13+) who want to learn raranga/weaving are welcome with a caregiver.

Programme as follows:

Saturday 18 June - attendees welcome to arrive from 9.30am for a 10am start

10:00am Mihi Whakatau (welcome)

10:30am-4:30pm Raranga Wānanga, including:

Tīkanga of raranga
How to identify, harvest and prepare harakeke for weaving, in accordance with traditional Māori practices
How to care for a Pā Harakeke
Weaving a rourou (food basket), and whetū (stars) to celebrate Matariki
Basic Te Reo around weaving, a karakia and a waiata
No prior weaving experience necessary.

Saturday evening

We will celebrate Matariki with a kōrero about Matariki and it’s importance, some pūrākau (stories) about the Takitimu Maunga, and enjoy a hangi and bonfire (weather permitting).

Sunday 19 June

9:00am - 3:00pm

More raranga/weaving using skills from the first day.
Talk on mahinga kai and rongoā
Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust will give a presentation about the Te Kōawa Mahinga Kai Restoration Project, including a tree planting session.

Note: the accommodation is in bunk rooms, and participants need to bring their own bedding/sleeping bag and their own pillow. For more details on the Lodge please see Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust website.

Thanks to our sponsors

Te Arawhiti, the Office for Crown Relations for their Matariki Ahunga Nui funding
Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Fund
Trees that Count for the rākau for the planting session
Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust
Te Anau Waitangi Charitable Trust

Matariki Raranga Wānanga

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