Harakeke Wānanga - Pākē

Learn how to make your own pākē (raincape) with harakeke (flax) in this 2 day wānanga at Hakatere Marae. Only 12 places so get in quick to secure your place.  You can do a full length pākē to be worn or a smaller one to be framed, as per the event banner pictures.

Facilitated by Harakeke weaver Vicky King, the wānanga starts at 9am and runs through to about 4pm both days. It is open to all genders/ cultures/ backgrounds. You don't need to be an experienced weaver, as long as you know how to correctly harvest and prepare harakeke. 

Please note: you must harvest and prepare the harakeke before you arrive at the wānanga. 
If you don't have access to harakeke, then let us know and we can advise where you can harvest some. 

You will need:

• For a long pākē: 140 whenu at 1cm 

OR 

• for a short pākē: 80 whenu at 1cm
• Hāpine/ soften your whenu the night before & wrap in a damp (not wet) towel and in a plastic bag to prevent drying

Other things to bring:

• Your lunch both days (a kitchen is available to reheat etc.)
• Spray bottle for water
• a large darning needle
  
• scissors
• a blunt edge knife (old bone handle ones are great) to hāpine 
• an old wooden chopping board (or similar)
  
• pin frog (if you have one)
• Natural or coloured jute string (20 metres)
  
• (optional) feathers, shells, beads or anything you wish to attach to decorate your paki. (Tī Kouka - dried cabbage tree leaves - look great on a pākē for a tāne- rinse in a bucket of water the night before and wrap in a damp towel and place in a plastic bag).
• A blanket or small tarp if you wish to sit on the floor to work.

This Harakeke Wānanga is part of the Keep Learning Mid Canterbury 2023 programme and has been made possible thanks to funding from the Ashburton District Council Mayor's Fund.

Please note: beginners weaving workshops will be offered the following weekend - April 1-2.