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

Aute plant

Aute plant

The aute or paper mulberry plant (Broussonetia papyrifera) was introduced to New Zealand by the ancestors of Māori, who had used it to make tapa (barkcloth) in their Pacific homelands. The New Zealand climate proved too cold for the aute to thrive, and native plants were found as a substitute. 

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How to cite this page:

Kahutoi Te Kanawa, 'Māori weaving and tukutuku – te raranga me te whatu - The art of te whare pora', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/43471/aute-plant (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Kahutoi Te Kanawa, published 22 Oct 2014