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Rangitāne o Wairarapa Education - Atuatanga: Learn from Nature

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Rangitāne o Wairarapa Education - Atuatanga: Learn from Nature

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This beautiful series of Atuatanga concept educational resources is developed by Rangitāne o Wairarapa. Their website says: "This resource is designed to provide us with opportunities to become more grounded, to get closer to Papatūānuku."
The highlighted link below leads to the Tikanga Resource focusing on Atua, from the Rangitāne o Wairarapa curriculum document. It's designed to assist teachers when exploring concepts of local tikanga.
Thank you to Rangitāne o Wairarapa for publicly sharing these resources on your website. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

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It is said that the further we move away from Papatūānuku the worse off we become. The lives of many people who have been disconnected from the land proves this to be correct.

This resource is designed to provide us with opportunities to become more grounded, to get closer to Papatuanuku.
As babies we start off with an amazing awareness of what is around us but over time our lifestyles, society and those that influence our thinking take our bodies, spirit and minds away from nature.

Atuatanga gives us a way of recapturing what is hardwired in each one of us as a species but has been tucked away sleeping.
Becoming grounded does not mean that we have to abandon anything else it just creates balance and a realisation that we humans are not the centre of the world and in reality we need the earth but she does not need us.

Māori culture emerged from interactions with the atua so this resource could be used as a foundation from which to branch off into learning te reo, history or many other subjects that are important to the culture.

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It is said that the further we move away from Papatūānuku the worse off we become. The lives of many people who have been disconnected from the land proves this to be correct. This resource is designed to provide us with opportunities to become more grounded, to get closer to Papatuanuku.

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WE ARE KAITIAKI

We invite individuals, schools, and organisations to join us in learning about the maunga and how to care for it. Through environmental education, we aspire to stimulate an interest in the natural world and encourage sustainability, regeneration, and community. The vision of the Park is to empower young people to become kaitiaki (guardians) of their local whenua (land) through education, native forest restoration, and other projects that create connectivity between the natural world and our human communities.

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WE ARE KAITIAKI We invite individuals, schools, and organisations to join us in learning about the maunga and how to care for it. Through environmental education, we aspire to stimulate an interest in the natural world and encourage sustainability, regeneration, and community.

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Te Mata Park - Natural Environment Catalogue

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Te Mata Park - Natural Environment Catalogue

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Many significant native plants, some of them threatened species, can be found in Te Mata Park, including a native daphne (Pimelea mimosa). Pimelea mimosa is a unique daphne that is endemic to Te Mata park and is planted around the Main Gates Car Park. This is the only place in New Zealand where it grows in the wild. There are also older native bush areas as well as beautiful stands of exotic trees, including two large redwoods groves.

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Natural Environment Catalogue - Te Mata Park Trust

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Many significant native plants, some of them threatened species, can be found in Te Mata Park, including a native daphne (Pimelea mimosa). Pimelea mimosa is a unique daphne that is endemic to Te Mata park and is planted around the Main Gates Car Park.

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Here are some free online tools which both Nikki and Aaron talked about during our Learning in Nature Hui on the 10th March, 2022.

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Oops, your cart is empty!

Maramataka calendars highlight the connection between the moon and our wellbeing. For the current rātaka (moon phase) check out our online Maramataka below, or download and order your free calendar today.

Our Maramataka tools were adapted from the mātauranga Māori in Living by the Moon Te Maramataka A Te Whānau-ā-Apanui by Wiremu Tawhai, (2013), Huia Publishers.

How to align your Maramataka

Did you know that Te Rakanui (the full moon) occurs every 29.53 days? This unusual number means we need to occasionally adjust our Maramataka to 'keep up' with the phases of the moon. If you have a printed Maramataka, we recommend checking it here once a month.

Step 1: Find the date

Our Maramataka resource has two parts: A large A3 poster and a small sticker wheel numbered 1 to 30/31. To get started, simply find today's date (the day) on your small sticker wheel. E.g. If it's the 4th of August, find the 4.

Step 2: Find the phase

Use our online Maramataka below to discover today's moon phase - then find this phase on the large wheel of your A3 Maramataka poster. Ka pai!

Step 3: Match the two!

Peel off your small sticker and carefully position it on your large wheel so that today's date and phase line-up. In cool news this sticker can be removed and reapplied as needed, allowing you to keep your Maramataka totally in sync.

Tools you might also like!

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Oops, your cart is empty! Maramataka calendars highlight the connection between the moon and our wellbeing. For the current rātaka (moon phase) check out our online Maramataka below, or download and order your free calendar today. Our Maramataka tools were adapted from the mātauranga Māori in Living by the Moon Te Maramataka A Te Whānau-ā-Apanui by Wiremu Tawhai, (2013), Huia Publishers.

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Activity instructions for teaching the moon phases. Thanks Aaron!

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Perfect Little Pollinators - related learning resources from the NZ Foundation for Arable Research

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Perfect Little Pollinators - related learning resources from the NZ Foundation for Arable Research

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The FAR Resource page says: "Welcome to our school resources. They are all about producing food from plants — sustainably. They emphasise connections between healthy soils, invertebrates, birds and plants that enable the production of wholesome foods in ways that minimise impacts on the environment." Sounds good to us!

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Welcome to our school resources. They are all about producing food from plants - sustainably. They emphasise connections between healthy soils, invertebrates, birds and plants that enable the production of wholesome foods in ways that minimise impacts on the environment.

Click on a link to begin your journey.

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Welcome to our school resources. They are all about producing food from plants - sustainably. They emphasise connections between healthy soils, invertebrates, birds and plants that enable the production of wholesome foods in ways that minimise impacts on the environment. Click on a link to begin your journey.

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Outdoor Classroom Day - official website

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Outdoor Classroom Day - official website

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Outdoor Classroom Day is a day to celebrate and inspire learning and play outside the classroom, and we want YOU to get involved!

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Outdoor Classroom Day with DOC (Department of Conservation)

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Outdoor Classroom Day with DOC (Department of Conservation)

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Research tells us learning in nature:

is good for our wellbeing and health

keeps tamariki active

increases attention and academic outcomes

improves social skills.

Learning in nature activity cards

Try our six new nature activities, designed to help you teach outside. These cards focus on wellbeing and getting active. They are an easy, fast and fun way to get your class outside and into nature.

We've included Mātauranga Māori and curriculum ideas to take the learning further.

Download the activity cards

English
Download all English activities in one file (PDF, 2415K)
Te reo Māori
Download all te reo Māori activities in one file (PDF, 2415K)
Be one of the first 100 teachers to sign up to receive our Pitopito Korero e-newsletter and receive free hard copies of the activity cards.

Download the Outdoor Classroom Day poster

Be in to win
Win a prize pack by simply sharing your Outdoor Classroom Day stories
The prize pack includes a $50 voucher from The Children's Bookshop and a Butterfuly & Insect house valued at $24.99.

The winner will be contacted via email and announced on this web page and/or through our Instagram or Facebook pages.
Terms and conditions

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Research tells us learning in nature: is good for our wellbeing and health keeps tamariki active increases attention and academic outcomes improves social skills. Try our six new nature activities, designed to help you teach outside. These cards focus on wellbeing and getting active.

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Nature is...encouraging outdoor exploration!  

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Nature is...encouraging outdoor exploration!  

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Print onto card and cut out the individual activities. Hang the cards from trees around your outdoor environment. In small groups, learners exploring the area for natural materials and found objects which they can use to collaboratively solve their chosen challenge in innovative ways. So much fun!

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STEAM-Powered Exploration - cards by Megan.docx.pdf

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Hā Ora - start the year with a breath for interconnectedness...

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Hā Ora - start the year with a breath for interconnectedness...

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Teachers and learners right across the education sector are experiencing significant challenges through the Covid-19 pandemic. Te Rito Toi is a collaborative project developed in Aotearoa New Zealand in response to some of these challenges. Resources and lessons at all levels are designed to help teachers use the arts as a pathway to re-engage learners with the wonder of learning while supporting them to feel secure and connected, in the wake of life changing events. One example is the Hā Ora set of resources from Te Rito Toi. Available in both Kura Kaupapa Māori and English language versions, Hā Ora gives some wonderful ways of re-connecting with each other and the natural world as you begin a new year in the grounds of your school or ECE setting.

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Introduction - Outdoor Learning Day 2021  (1).pdf

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Learning in Nature and the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre: The outdoors is the best 'classroom' on the planet!

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Learning in Nature and the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre: The outdoors is the best 'classroom' on the planet!

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Take learning outdoors! To find out how we can support your learning programmes, to enquire about booking the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC) at EIT’s Taradale Campus, to request notification of upcoming teacher professional development workshops, or to discuss how your agency can fund outdoor learning initiatives, please get in touch with Mark Caves, EIT.

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Introduction - Outdoor Learning Day 2021  (1).pdf

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The language of Nature!

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This free, downloadable booklet produced by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori  (The Māori Language Commission) and Te Papa Atawhai (The Department of Conservation) skillfully combines rich information and vocabulary woven throughout thematic contexts -  inviting our re-connection with Te Ao Tūroa - the natural world.

NB: The "double-spread" download option enables posters to be read across the page.

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Introduction

These posters and booklet include te reo Māori and English words and phrases about the environment: Te Ao o Tangaroa - Marine, Wai Māori - Fresh Water, Te Wao Nui a Tāne - flora, Te Tini a Tāne - fauna

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Kia Kaha te Reo Taiao posters and booklet

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These posters and booklet include te reo Māori and English words and phrases about the environment: Te Ao o Tangaroa - Marine, Wai Māori - Fresh Water, Te Wao Nui a Tāne - flora, Te Tini a Tāne - fauna

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Rainstorm - Body Percussion handout.pdf for Te Rangi Kaupapa

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Kids Greening Taupō Online Nature Classroom

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Kids Greening Taupō Online Nature Classroom

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The KGT team is AMAZING! This could be the whole of next year's learning outdoors. Take a look for yourself...

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Online Nature Classroom — Kids Greening Taupo | Learning Through Nature

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Kids Greening Taupō have created the Online Nature Classroom to connect tamariki to nature and help them to understand the importance of biodiversity. It is our hope that they will learn about the unique flora and fauna of Aotearoa, and the important role that each species plays in the ecosystem.

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DOC (Department of Conservation) inquiry units - exploring, experiencing and enhancing your local environment.

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DOC (Department of Conservation) inquiry units - exploring, experiencing and enhancing your local environment.

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So much good learning here, whether investigating the units in order or choosing one topic as a springboard for further enquiry. Student-directed learning in a conservation context.

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The series includes a range of teaching and learning ideas from stand-alone authentic experiences to a comprehensive integrated inquiry unit. The resources have been designed so that they can be used by themselves, or joined together to create a unit of work.

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The series includes a range of teaching and learning ideas from stand-alone authentic experiences to a comprehensive integrated inquiry unit. The resources have been designed so that they can be used by themselves, or joined together to create a unit of work.

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How can I use the  Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre?

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How can I use the  Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre?

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The Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC) at EIT's Taradale campus comprises a diverse range of spaces, making it the ideal gathering spot for a wide variety of educational and other user groups. With Covid highlighting the need for ongoing social distancing practices, what better way to gather, socialise, meet and learn, than in this beautiful outdoor setting? And currently, access is still cost-free for most users! Do you have an inspiration which you’re wondering how to develop further? Talk with us, we’d love to help!

To find out how using this space could enhance your:

·       learning programmes,

·       staff meetings,

·       school ‘Whānau Days’

·       student association events,

·       planning meetings,

·       team-building activities,

·       community gatherings,

·       hui,

·       staff ‘end of year’ gatherings,

·       and more…

…please get in touch to discuss your ideas with Robyn rmccool@eit.ac.nz and/or Megan mmcbride@eit.ac.nz. We’re here to help!

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'Imagine growing generations of New Zealanders who understand environmental issues and actively contribute to a healthy sustainable future for us all' -Environmental Education for Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2021 (Dept of Conservation 2017)
A focus on the future, including sustainability, is not only a core principle in the NZ School Curriculum, but also aligns with the overarching aim of this new Outdoor Learning Centre. Activities at the Otatara Outdoor Learning Centre provide a range of opportunities for learners to; connect with nature so that they can understand the impact of their actions or inactions on the environment, and benefit society through their positive attitudes and behaviours.

With generous funding from the Air New Zealand Environment Trust, we have established this community centred Learning in Nature space as a collaboration between the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Ngāti Pārau (the mana whenua hapū), Department of Conservation, Predator Free Hawke's Bay, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, EnviroSchools and others. Our mission is to develop connections, positive attitudes and future behaviours through enabling and promoting learning across the curriculum and between disciplines, in an environmental context. The Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre, is a unique regional facility, providing different user groups with the opportunity for to immerse themselves in nature whilst they are developing their knowledge and capability.

The Centre has a particular role in developing the skills and confidence of our trainee Primary and Early Childhood degree student teachers, as well as providing professional development for teachers wishing to use nature as a context for learning. In addition, EIT students across a range of programmes now have part of their curriculum delivered outdoors, and the Centre is increasingly utilised by local community groups, schools, regional Arts groups and our local Hapu.

The Centre has recently been recognised as a finalist in the prestigious Green Gown Awards for a second year in a row. The Awards are run by the Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) *. We are the only New Zealand ITP and one of the country's two tertiary institutions to be announced as finalists this year.

Connecting our communities through learning in nature is a vision driven by the community for the community and whilst the project's roots are embedded at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre, it's potential reach extends far beyond the boundaries of EIT. Working collaboratively, we aim to promote nature literacy across the New Zealand education curriculum, for the benefit of all.

* The Green Gown Awards are open to all Australasian Tertiary institutions and were established in 2004 to recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken within the sector. Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on 18 November 2021 and will automatically become finalists in the International Green Gown Awards. Being selected as a finalist is an acknowledgement that the OOLC and the wider learning in nature project, promotes values of sustainability in Aotearoa/NZ, enhancing the lives of individuals by connecting them with nature, cultural heritage and the community through the landscape and the curriculum.

Please explore our virtual Outdoor Learning Centre. Check out the Resources Room and download our free resources which are linked to the New Zealand curriculum.

Watch this short video to find out more about our learning in nature project and how you can invest in the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre.

Just before lockdown, we started work to reopen the gully pathway, adjacent to the OOLC. The native trees in the gully were planted by EIT staff and students around six years ago and last month, students from the Certificate in Horticulture General Level 3 were able to get involved by laying grass seed.

Despite the lack of rain in over the last few months the grass grew well and we are now able to enjoy this walk. A small grass platform for student groups to stand or sit on the ground has been created and longer term, a seating area will be installed for quiet reflection. The views from the top of the track are truly breath-taking.

In early April, the first Year 9 Social Science classes from Taradale High School, used our outdoor environment to learn about, and play traditional Māori inspired games. They learnt what life was like in pre-European New Zealand and Chad Tareha also took them on a walk to the Ōtātara Pā.

Back at school the students created their own Pā from a variety of mixed media, such as papermache, posters and Mindcraft. We will be working closely with TDHS this year to develop some collaborative pilot workshops and classes.

Three Candidate Teachers from EIT are excited about the possibilities in environmental education after an intense week of learning and leadership development at the renowned Blake Inspire for Teachers programme.

Talia Hōhua (Tuhoe), Te Kaiirirangi Harmer-Te Ropiha (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Mia van Dulm, who are in the third year of their Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) degree at EIT, became the first Candidate Teachers to attend the week-long course. The programme is normally attended by only qualified teachers.

Despite being unable to utilize the OOLC as planned during the lockdown, Helen Stewart-Mackenzie facilitated an inspiring and interactive online Science Disciplines class for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education students. Our colleagues from DOC/Predator Free HB, Megan McBride and Robyn McCool, worked hard to develop a Padlet, which is an online tool based on collaboration. A Padlet can include photos, videos, weblinks and enable students to comment. This interactive tool focused on engaging EIT students to consider and share ways that children can find examples of chemistry, physics and biology in nature and support study outside rather than relying on inside classroom teaching.

This was a great example of innovative teaching using nature as the context for learning.

Members of our community, EIT staff and students have begun in earnest to revitalise the pā harakeke at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre. There are two important plantings at the site. The harakeke on the upper level were planted by those who were at the weaving roopu in the original stables when the Community Arts Centre was based on site. The second planting, was one of ten locations of a nationwide harakeke evaluation trial that Manaaki Whenua carried out in the 1990s. Three plants of 12 named harakeke varieties from the Orchiston Collection were grown at each of the 10 sites. The cultivars were: Ngaro, Ate, Parekoretawa, Paretaniwha, Arawa, Paoa, Māeneene, Kōhunga, Tapamangu, Tapoto, Hūhiroa, Oue.

There is a rich history of mahi raranga on this site and what better way to pay homage than to breathe new life into it and promote healthier plants which look their best at all times. The Harakeke working group also intends to undertake some research on the plant origins.

If you are keen to get involved with the working group, please contact Puti Nuku pnuku@eit.ac.nz.

Have you seen our newly planted Rongoā (Māori medicine) garden at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre? Rongoā Māori is the traditional healing system of Māori and incorporates the use of plant based remedies.

The Tohunga Suppression Act 1907 saw the demise of rongoā Māori because the tōhunga (experts, priests) who administered the rongoā could no longer continue this practice. However, as with many of this countrys' traditional knowledges such as te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, toi Māori, a resurgence has occurred since the 1970s to revitalise these taonga tuku iho (heirlooms handed down from the ancestors).

It is therefore an honour for us to be a part of this revitalisation and teaching of Rongoā thanks to an exciting collaboration between staff and students in Te Ūranga Waka, Nursing and Primary Industry. The garden provides an opportunity to link knowledge with practice for many of our students across campus. Our Nursing graduates, for example, will come be able to better engage and manage patients who use Rongoā in managing their own health. They will also be able to discuss possible interactions and complementary actions of the plants they are using. All of our students, staff and visitors will be able to see, touch and smell the native plants. An additional project will enable the access to information on how each plant can be used as a natural alternative to modern medicine to alleviate, even cure a range of medical issues.
Are there opportunities to use Rongoā? If you would like to know more about how you can use the garden please contact Emma Passey at EIT
Robyn Gray has worked in various health settings as a nurse for the last 30 years and with 10 years in Primary Health Care roles has also had a lot of experience working with clients in the field. As a relatively new Lecturer she has found enormous satisfaction teaching at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre and recommends that you use the space too.

Robyn says, "From the moment the students leave to go on their walking journey to the OOLC they are transported into the realms of a 'real community visit'. They are in the moment! This experience enhances their attitudes to holistic health and positive health promotion begins. There is a connection to the land and history at Ōtātara which lives and breathes around us. The plants and trees become a venue for extended activities and lend themselves to complementary therapies like mindfulness and nature (rongoā), without focusing on just medications, which students are inclined to do, in this field.

I devised a Depression scenario because it is one of the main mental health disorders in New Zealand and I invited an actor to take the role (Kathleen McCrory). This enabled me to assist and prompt as needed during the mental health assessment with the development of the 'therapeutic relationship.' It was inclusive and multi- cultural in approach. The idea was for it to be spontaneous and allow the students to practise assessment and conversational tools they acquired from the text book. I also discussed props for a 'real live scene and advised the students they would be knocking on the door of a client'. This kind of spontaneity cannot be found in the classroom and the outdoor environment allows students to see that there are new ways of looking at a person's health. The holistic way!."

Feedback from students was positive and Robyn already has other scenarios planned for the OOLC.

To find out more about our Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre and to register your interest, please contact Emma Passey at EIT emmap@eit.ac.nz

Equip yourself for a role in the exciting and ever-expanding world of environmental management. Develop knowledge and skills in environmental sustainability and how to manage environmental projects in business, community and government.

EIT has added two experienced environmental educators to the team leading its sustainability strategy connecting local communities.

Megan McBride and Robyn McCool, who were previously employed by Department of Conservation (DOC) to work on Predator Free Hawke's Bay (PFHB) education projects, have transferred their knowledge, skills and contacts to EIT.

EIT Level 3 Horticulture General students undertaking some planting of native trees and shrubs at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (OOLC) on the Hawke's Bay Campus. The OOLC is part of the Learning in Nature project, which has seen EIT being made a finalist in the prestigious Green Gown Awards.

EIT is, for the second year in a row, a finalist in the prestigious Green Gown Awards, run by the Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS).

In September, Kumara tubers were laid down undercover in the EIT campus Greenhouse. Tipu will be planted at the site early November to demonstrate a traditional and Sustainable Food Production Practice. A storage pit is also planned to accommodate the cyclic growing, harvest and storage methods of the Kumara.

At the beginning of September 2019 the NZ Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production (Level 4) cohort planned and implemented the first stage of revegetating the bank by the log cabin at the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre. Some 350 appropriate to site and eco sourced native species are now planted. As they grow, they will both beautify and contribute to the biodiversity of the region. The students have recorded their work with "Trees that Count" https://www.treesthatcount.co.nz and will continually monitor their planting and record data for course assessment.

Long term weed control will be practiced using sustainable releasing (by hand and solely around the base of each tree) and maintained by future EIT Horticulture students.

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The Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre is a nature based education space where the cultural and creative connection to the land, sustainable use of resources and the restoration of ecology and biodiversity management can be taught through using the outdoor environment as a context for learning.

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This free online booklet is an updated version of the original printed publication released by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Developed as a resource for whānau, these practical tips and activity ideas are particularly helpful for those working with younger children.

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Pepeha - helping connect us with our world

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Pepeha - helping connect us with our world

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Once your learners are familiar with the concept of pepeha  this can support them to consider other whakapapa connections within the natural world. Here's one idea, inspired by the "Insect Mihi" activity from Science Learning Hub.

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Te Aitanga Pepeke - Pepeha template.docx

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The wonderful people at Sparklers produce some great material to support connecting with Nature. Their Wellbeing Walkabout is an example of a simple activity for learning together or from home.

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If needed, revisit our Favourite spaces Kōrero, to remind children of the connection between our emotions and spaces that make us feel good.

You may also like to work through the discussion from our Sense of the day activity, to help tamariki understand and tune-into their senses.

Then, to plan your (bubble friendly) wellbeing walkabout:

discuss children's favourite spaces in their gardens or local neighbourhood and how they might introduce these spaces to others - drawing, writing, photographing or a video tour (they might do this live during zoom or Google Meets time)

choose how tamariki might share their favourite spaces - this might be across Seesaw, or real-live visits during zoom or Google Meet time

ask tamariki as part of this to create a map of where their favourite space is

plan your wellbeing walkabout, either as a class, across Seesaw sharing, or in smaller groups online

Regroup and discuss your findings. What were the best features of each other's favourite space? Why was these things great features?

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More inspiration from the people at Sparklers!

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Take a Moment to Create in Nature - Outdoor Art Projects:

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Tamariki will need: A piece of paper or card (the inside of a weet-bix box will do!) Colouring pencils, paints, felts, whatever is available - even a lead pencil drawing is top notch! Ask tamariki to take their equipment outside and find somewhere or something in nature to draw.

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Thanks to DOC (Department of Conservation) for sharing this cool tracking activity.

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Are there rats in your garden tracking instructions.pdf

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Brainstorming around a learning context - example: Pine Forest

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Brainstorming around a learning context - example: Pine Forest

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This is what the inside of Ruud's brain looks like. There's a LOT of stuff in there! He's just planned a whole year's learning across the curriculum, from one pine forest. Actually you can do this with pretty much any outdoor context. Which is why outdoor learning is so amazing! (Go on, we dare you to...)

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just in case you get "stuck" and need some up-lifting.

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just in case you get "stuck" and need some up-lifting.

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'The living world is not “out there” somewhere, but in your heart'. Our friend Ruud Kleinpaste, aka "The Bugman" says: "...this always works for me; Paul Hawken has been my favourite author and orator for the past decade or more." Thank you Ruud, for sharing this :)

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You are brilliant and the Earth is Hiring

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Matariki-Playcentre-Resource-Harakeke-2019.  This karakia acknowledges the whakapapa of harakeke. It can be used before harvesting or working with NZ flax.

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Harakeke is indeed a treasure. There's no other fibre quite like it! The fibre known as "flax" in Europe comes from a different plant, entirely. In botanical terms, NZ has two species of harakeke: phormium tenax and phormium cookianum (wharariki). But as any experienced weaver will tell you, within those broad categories are a multitude of varieties! Each has one or more (often regional), Māori names; each one is valued for different purposes.
If you're keen to work with harakeke, please take the time to talk with and learn from weavers in your community. Learn about and embrace the appropriate tikanga (protocols) related to caring for the plants, to harvesting, and weaving. Not only will this ensure you can do your part to care for and preserve this taonga; but by respecting the ancient traditions your whole experience of working with harakeke will come alive. Mauri ora!

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This video clip from Manaaki Whenua shows step by step instructions to help you weave a star. For best results, softer-leaved varieties of harakeke are recommended for this project.

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Omine Ivatt, the "Wild Child" behind Craftlab NZ shows how to weave a kono. This method uses four harakeke leaves and eight clothes pegs: four of one colour and four of a different colour. The clothes pegs are used to organize the weaving into sections; a very helpful strategy for beginners. Have fun!