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Flax Collection glossary

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Terms used in relation to the harakeke collection

A H K M P R T W

A
aho in weaving, a weft  

H
harakeke swamp or lowland flax, Phormium tenax  
hāro method to strip fibre from harakeke leaf with a shell  

K
kaitaka a fine cloak, with an ornamental border  
kakahu garment, cloak  
kete basket  
korowai a cloak ornamented with black twisted cords  
kōrari flower stalk of harakeke. In some areas, another word for harakeke  

M
muka dressed flax fibre, whītau  

P
para the leaf tissue scraped from harakeke fibre  
piupiu a waist garment with a swinging fringe  
putiputi flower  
pīkau backpack, pack  
pōtae cap, hat  

R
raranga weaving, plaiting  
rito centre growing shoot of harakeke  
rourou small food basket  

T
tīhore a fine harakeke variety - 'can be scraped clean with a fingernail only'  

W
wharariki coastal or mountain flax, Phormium cookianum  
whenu in weaving, a warp  
whāriki floor mat  
whītau dressed harakeke fibre, muka