Story: Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori

Preparing and weaving harakeke (flax)

This 1947 newsreel clip shows the traditional methods of preparing and weaving harakeke, or New Zealand flax – one of the most essential and versatile clothing materials available to early Māori.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Weekly Review 280. National Film Unit, 1947

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

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How to cite this page

Awhina Tamarapa rāua ko Patricia Wallace, Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori – Adapting to new lands and climate, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/40986/preparing-and-weaving-harakeke-flax (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Awhina Tamarapa rāua ko Patricia Wallace, published 4 March 2013.