Story: Daily life in Māori communities – te noho a te hapori

Making flax baskets

Making flax baskets

This peaceful scene painted by Gottfried Lindauer shows women weaving kono (food baskets) and kete (storage baskets) from flax. This essential activity was carried out collectively and often, as in this case, in the morning or evening, since daytime hours were devoted to food production.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Reference: 1915/2/63
Oil on canvas by Gottfried Lindauer, 1903

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Mark Derby, 'Daily life in Māori communities – te noho a te hapori - Daily life in traditional communities', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/40895/making-flax-baskets (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Mark Derby, published 5 Sep 2013