Matariki Weaving Wānanga 2025
Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust, in partnership with Te Anau Waitangi Day Charitable Trust, are holding a Matariki Weaving Wānanga (workshop) at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu Lodge on the 14th-14th June 2025.
Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust, in partnership with Te Anau Waitangi Day Charitable Trust, are holding a Matariki Weaving Wānanga (workshop) at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu Lodge on the 14th to 15th June 2025.
Have you always wanted to learn how to weave a kono (4 cornered basket)? Haere mai ki te Te Kōawa Lodge in the Jericho Valley and join local tutors Mātua Des Cooper and Tāua Rangimaria Suddaby as they guide and support you to learn the traditional Māori practice of raranga / harakeke weaving.
We will teach all aspects of raranga including tīkanga, how to harvest harakeke and care for a Pā harakeke, and how to weave, including relevant te reo Māori words.
This wānanga is most suitable for beginner or intermediate weavers.
The Wānanga includes:
One night at Te Kōawa Lodge (with the option of staying Friday night as well for an additional charge);
Kai and refreshments for the weekend;
A Matariki celebration evening, and the opportunity to learn more about Matariki;
Te reo kūpū associated with Matariki and raranga;
A chance to learn more about our Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu Mahinga Kai Cultural Park, and the mahi we are doing to restore it.
Cost for the weekend is $55. Limited spaces so booking is essential.
This wānanga is aimed at adults, but rangatahi (age 10+) who want to learn raranga/weaving are welcome with a caregiver.
Accommodation
The accommodation is in bunk rooms, and participants need to bring their own bedding/sleeping bag. For more details on the Lodge please see Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust website. If you have any specific accommodation requirements please let us know.
Participants will be expected to help with dishes/tidying up after meals, and with cleaning of the lodge at the end of the Wānanga.
What to bring
Please bring the following to the Wānanga:
Some home baking for morning or afternoon tea
Craft knife (named) (we do have some tools available for participants)
Small chopping board
Flax knife if you have one (for harvesting harakeke)
Gardening gloves, outdoor shoes or gumboots - for tidying up the Pā Harakeke
Slippers or indoor shoes
Sleeping bag or duvet, pillow case, and bottom sheet to cover the mattress in the bunkroom (there are pillows at the lodge).
Hottie (optional)
Thanks to our sponsors and partners
Some photos from our previous Wānangaat Te Kōawa lodge:
