On Monday we lost one of our kaumatua, the chair of our Kaunihera or maori advisory committee. It is traditional to mark a loss with kawakawa leaves, kind of the native version of rosemary (although it looks nothing like it) - medicinal and used as a symbol of remembrance. So yesterday a group of staff got together and made a wreath for Karanga who sits outside the museum.
My weaving experience is limited to say the least but it was wonderful to learn how to make this parepare kawakawa. Here is a closeup. You can see the flax band with the kawakawa woven into it.
And of course we are now remembering those lost in Christchurch with the big aftershock long promised hitting this afternoon.
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