Matariki 2025: Kono Raranga Workshop with Brenda Railey and Abby Turbott

Matariki 2025: Kono Raranga Workshop

Kono Raranga - harakeke weaving workshops celebrate Matariki by weaving together people, stories and culture. Participants learn traditional Māori weaving from experienced artists creating beautiful pieces while sharing kai and korero. The workshops foster community, connection and cultural understanding. As people weave, they reflect on relationships, environment and the stars guidance. Raranga’s meditative quality promotes balance and harmony.

By joining, it’s a chance to slow down, appreciate nature and find common ground. Weaving becomes a metaphor for life- strengthening relationships and creating something beautiful together. Community and culture thrive.

Kai & light refreshments will be provided by DEPOT.

Raranga from 10am-12pm, and 1pm - 3pm. BYO lunch as the workshop will break for an hour from

12pm - 1pm.

Brenda Railey 

Brenda's based in Tamaki Makaurauu. 

Brenda Railey locates herself in the Pacific, more particularly Samoa where she spent her early childhood.  ‘My interest in traditional craft stems from the weaving of everyday baskets by grandmothers and uncles from coconut leaves to carry produce or food’. 

‘In exploring my own current weaving journey, I'm acknowledging these early memories and pathways of knowledge forged by innovative ancestors.  Their practices are integral in me...’ 

Abby Turbott 

Kia ora My name is Abby Turbott.

I live in Auckland

I joined the TWOA raranga class on a whim and was fascinated by all the fibers arts and patterns such as weaving, knitting and drawing.

raranga is appealing to me as you can make practical and beautiful items with our local materials and at the same time we are looking after our whenua and making toanga, I also wanted to learn more about Māori toi and by weaving I have ben learning tikanga in and around harvesting and this is a way for me to learn in a natural way.