Pā Harakeke opens at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
It’s more than a botanical garden collection: Pā Harakeke, now open at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, represents a dedicated cultural resource for weavers. 
Linda Lee, Ōtari Raranga Weavers
Lily Yochay
Pā Harakeke contains a collection of flaxes from around the country, with varieties selected by traditional weaver and researcher, Rene Orchiston, which now form the Manaaki Whenua National Flax Collection. The flaxes were chosen for their special leaf and fibre properties, and include varieties for making kete, whāriki, piupiu and cloaks.
The concept of Ōtari’s Pā Harakeke began in 2019, when the flaxes were planted by then Team Leader Ōtari, Finn Michalak, with design input from the Ōtari Raranga Weavers.
Speaking at the official opening of the Pā, on November 9, Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush manager Tim Park said bringing people and plants together is the essence of a botanical garden.
‘These plants are able to be used, these are resources that can strengthen our cultural connections. We are really fortunate to have this collection, and to have the dedicated Linda Lee and Frank Topia, from Ōtari Raranga Weavers, to guide us.
‘We’ve decolonised the signs,’ he added, explaining that reo names had been used for each of the flaxes planted in the pā.
Tim also said he was keen for Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush to expand further into the fields of Mātauranga Māori and develop further plant collections and resources for traditional and cultural use.
Pā HarakekeAlong with Ōtari Raranga Weavers, a strong contingent of Pito-one based weavers, from Te Rōpū Raranga o Manaia supported the opening with karakia and tautoko waiata.
Following the formalities, people took part in a hauhake (harvest) of the harakeke, with Linda Lee explaining the harvesting protocols. Some of the harvest was put to
immediate good use at a raranga wananga (weaving lesson) hosted by Ōtari Raranga Weavers.
Posted: 11 December 2023