These harakeke strands, or kawe, are a powerful celebration of the strength and significance of harakeke, traditionally employed for carrying heavy loads. In our reinterpretation, we integrate trusty tie-downs, offering a contemporary perspective on customary technology and symbolising the heavy loads many women carry in their daily lives. A kawe, functioning as a system that distributes weight, becomes a metaphor for navigating life's challenges and moving from one point to another.

This work was initially inspired by our visit to the Canterbury Museum, where we explored historical applications of harakeke. During this visit, a customary Māori strap or kawe stood out to us. This beautifully crafted kawe would have been used to efficiently carry items over long distances. When secured to the body, the kawe skillfully distributes the load of substantial weights like firewood, rocks, or even babies.

Our first time using harakeke as the practical material in our installations, this work draws inspiration from the ancestral techniques and technologies of our tūpuna. These resources remain accessible to us. Collaboratively, we individually wove lengths of harakeke strops, each sourced from 12 different paa harakeke local to our four homes, before bringing them together to form the final installation.

16m x 5m

Harakeke, cotton, zinc-coated metal

Commissioned by Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased by the W.A. Sutton Trust 2022.

Curated by Dr Melanie Oliver.