default-output-block.skip-main
Regional | Arts

Whāriki o te Ao keep ancestral tradition alive

A group of women from Pukekohe have started weaving and cloak making classes because of concerns that this art may be lost if it's neglected.

According to Ngāpuhi descendent Jacqueline Tautari , “These skills weren't available to us in our day, so we had to go in search of the knowledge at various marae.”

Whare Hiku of Ngāpuhi says, “That's exactly our purpose, to ensure the retention of this ancestral tradition.”

Not only does it cater for Māori wishing to learn these skills but women from all cultures are welcome to share the knowledge.

A lot of patience goes into the teaching and learning of weaving, and because of the commitment from 'Whāriki o te Ao', the survival of this traditional art is ensured.