Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust, in partnership with Te Anau Waitangi Day Charitable Trust, are holding a Matariki Weaving Wānanga (workshop) at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu Lodge on the 14th and 15th June 2025.

Have you always wanted to learn how to weave a kono (4 cornered basket)? Haere mai ki te Te Kōawa Lodge in the Jericho Valley and join local tutors Mātua Des Cooper and Tāua Rangimaria Suddaby as they guide and support you to learn the traditional Māori practice of raranga / harakeke weaving.

We will teach all aspects of raranga including tīkanga, how to harvest harakeke and care for a Pā harakeke, and how to weave, including relevant te reo Māori words.

This wānanga is most suitable for beginner or intermediate weavers.

The Wānanga includes:

Accomodation on Saturday night at Te Kōawa Lodge (there is the option of also staying Friday night for an additional $25pp);
Kai and refreshments for the weekend;
A Matariki celebration evening, and the opportunity to learn more about Matariki;
Te reo kūpū associated with Matariki and raranga;
A chance to learn more about our Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu Mahinga Kai Restoration project and explore this Mahinga Kai Cultural Park under the Takitimu Maunga.

Cost for the weekend is $55. Limited spaces so booking is essential. There is the option to also stay Friday night for an additional $25pp.

Participants who are able to attend for the entire wānanga programme will benefit the most from this kaupapa. If you need to arrive late or leave early, please let us know.

This wānanga is aimed at adults, but rangatahi (age 10+) who want to learn raranga/weaving are welcome with a caregiver.

Accommodation

The accommodation is in bunk rooms, and participants need to bring their own bedding/sleeping bag. For more details on the Lodge please see Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust website. If you have any specific accommodation requirements please let us know.

Participants will be expected to help with dishes/tidying up after meals, and with cleaning of the lodge at the end of the Wānanga.

What to bring

Please bring the following to the Wānanga:

Some home baking for morning or afternoon tea
Craft knife (named) (we do have some tools available for participants)
Small chopping board
Flax knife if you have one (for harvesting harakeke)
Gardening gloves, outdoor shoes or gumboots - for tidying up the Pā Harakeke
Slippers or indoor shoes
If you choose to stay on the Friday night (addtional $25pp) then please bring some kai to share for a potluck dinner on Friday night;
Sleeping bag or duvet, pillow case, and bottom sheet to cover the mattress in the bunkroom (there are pillows at the lodge).
Hottie (optional)

Thanks to our sponsors and partners