Maori Designs: The Omaka Marae Raranga

Weaving is a critical part of Maori history. Native flax is and was the preferred medium for weaving and ranged from humble everyday objects such as mats and food baskets, to sacred and precious intricately woven cloaks. The Omaka Marae in Marlborough NZ, holds regular weaving workshops open to women in the region, keeping alive this practical and beautiful art. Here is a short documentary commissioned by the local iwi to capture some of the most recent participants of the workshop and their work.