What is Harakeke/NZ Flax and how do you care for it?
Harakeke/New Zealand flax describes the common New Zealand perennial plants Phormium tenax and Phormium colensoi, known by the Māori names harakeke and wharariki, respectively. Although given the common name ‘flax’, they are quite distinct from the Northern Hemisphere plant known as flax (Linum usitatissimum)
Although Māori have always made textiles from a number of other plants, including tī kōuka, tōī, pingao, kiekie, toetoe, and the paper mulberry, harakeke and wharariki have been and remain the most widely used materials.
Below is a short (older) video guide on how to harvest & clean NZ Flax – Harakeke (Phormium) aimed at the home gardener and beginner harakeke/flax weaver alike. There may be other tikanga (rules) in your area, and it is always good to ask permission if harvesting from a public place (such as a park).
Please note that, depending on your own region, other “rules” may apply.
This video gives a general overview in response to the many people who have been asking us to post it. We have since published many more shorter videos on our Social Media Channels about this very important topic. If you wish, you can head over to our Facebook Page and use the “More” and “Reels” option to search for those videos. If you have any particular questions about your Harakeke/ NZ Flax plants, please feel free to drop us a line via our contact page.
