Research into traditional Maori fibres

Press, 27 February 1989, Page 16

Research into traditional Maori fibres

The revival of interest in Maori crafts is making heavy demands on traditional fibres, and scientists of the Forest Research Institue (F.R.1.) have begun a research programme to ensure that supplies are maintained into the future.

The F.R.I. programme is focusing on kiekie, a sprawling or climbing native plant whose metrelong leaves provide the natural fibres used extensively by the Maori in weaving the decorative wall panels (tukutuku) and mats (whariki) typically found in meeting

houses, and various types of containers (kete). The research is partly funded by the Department of Conservation. Kiekie is not an endangered plant, but clearing of the lowland and coastal bush in which it is found has reduced the distribution of kiekie drastically, and many of the remaining areas of bush are now protected reserves. It is critical that harvesting kiekie for fibres does not further reduced the resource. Educational courses on weaving and weavingbased hui, requiring

kiekie fibres, are being run on maraes, community colleges, and arts and crafts centres around the country. Also, the construction of many new meeting houses and the rehabilitation of older houses has resulted in increased demands for kiekie to produce tukutuku and whariki. And all fibre articles are becoming extremely popular, according to several retail tourists outlets in the Bay of Plenty. It is likely that pressure on the whole kiekie resource will continue to increase, partly as a consequence of the predicted growth in the tourist industry and partly as a consequence of the higher profile indigenous fibres will have in New Zealand. F.R.I. will look at the effects of different harvesting methods on the plants, initially at sites on the Mamaku Plateau in the Bay of Plenty. They will address such questions as: Does the harvesting technique affect the kiekie shoots, and if so how? When may harvested shoots be reharvested: Does harvesting lower a plant’s ability to produce fibre later?

The answers to these questions will allow scientists to draw up guidelines for sustainable harvesting of kiekie so that the resource is not further depleted. Traditionally, kiekie is harvested by wrenching out a handful of leaves at the centre of a leaf cluster, although it is sometimes harvested by cutting off the whole leaf cluster with a knife or slasher. So far, scientists have observed that wrenching does not seem to harm the plant and may in fact increase productivity by stimulating the growth of new leaf clusters.

In contrast, cutting off the clusters yields many

unusable leaves (that are too stiff or too coarse) and arrests growth at the shoot and probably kills it.

The main feature of kiekie is that it takes dye readily, which has made it most useful for decorative work. However, kiekie is only one of the four main sources of natural plant fibres traditionally used by the Maori. Each of the other fibre plants — pingao (Desmoschoenus spiralis); ti kouka, cabbage tree (Cordyline australis); and harakeke, flax (Phormium tenax) — has its own characteristics and special uses. For example, ti kouka and harakeke were used in clothing, building, nets, snares and containers.

It is anticipated that pressure on all four sources of natural fibres will increase so all will need good management. To that end F.R.I. is also setting up a major experimental planting of pingao

to re-establish the plant in its natural habitat and to identify guidelines for the rehabilitation of dune lands.