Story: Māori weaving and tukutuku – te raranga me te whatu

The whatu weaving technique

The whatu weaving technique

This diagram depicts the 'single-pair twining' technique known as whatu. This technique can produce durable and attractive woven objects and garments using only the fingers. No loom is required. The weft, or horizontal, threads are called aho. The vertical, or warp, threads are called whenu. In the basic version of whatu shown in this diagram, a single pair of aho are twined over and under each of the whenu. 

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Sidney Mead, The art of taaniko weaving: a study of its cultural context, technique and development. Wellington: Reed, 1968, p. 24

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How to cite this page:

Kahutoi Te Kanawa, 'Māori weaving and tukutuku – te raranga me te whatu - Kākahu – woven cloaks', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/diagram/43477/the-whatu-weaving-technique (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Kahutoi Te Kanawa, published 22 Oct 2014