Building Capacity of Raranga.

This week we gathered for a special day session dedicated to building the capacity of whānau through the art of raranga (weaving). Our focus for the day was creating beautiful putiputi (flowers) from harakeke, a traditional craft that not only brings us together but also keeps our cultural heritage alive.

What made this day even more meaningful was seeing the joy, focus, and pride on the faces of our whānau as they worked. These are the moments when you truly feel the strength of connection—both to each other and to the traditions that our tūpuna passed down to us. By weaving together, we are not just crafting flowers; we are weaving the fabric of our future, ensuring the survival of this precious skill for the generations that will follow.

The long-term vision for this initiative is to create an ongoing weaving group. The goal is to grow our skills and knowledge in raranga, supporting each other along the way to make sure that this traditional artform continues to flourish. We want to ensure that raranga remains a living, breathing part of our community, with whānau of all ages taking part and learning. It’s about keeping the doors open for future generations to connect with their roots through creativity.

We owe a huge thank you to Missy, who has been with us every step of the way. Your patience, guidance, and unwavering support have been crucial in keeping us motivated and inspired. You never hesitate to come back, lift us up, and keep us going when the learning feels tough. Missy, you truly are amazing!

This is just the beginning. Our putiputi may be small now, but they symbolise something much bigger—a commitment to growing and flourishing as a whānau and as kaitiaki of our traditions.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who made this day possible. Let’s continue to weave together, not just to make art, but to strengthen our bonds and preserve our heritage for the generations to come.