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Story: Walking tracks

Paraerae (sandals)

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Paraerae (sandals)

To protect their feet on long cross-country journeys, Māori wore sandals made of flax or cabbage-tree leaves. There were different types for particular conditions – the heavy, double-plaited sole was designed for rocky terrain. Flax was also used to make rain capes and kawe (packs) to carry loads.

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Otago Museum

Reference: D24-576-6

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How to cite this page

Jock Phillips, Walking tracks – Māori highways, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12794/paraerae-sandals (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Jock Phillips, published 2 March 2009, updated 1 April 2016.