Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa
Maori Weavers of New Zealand
Current TRRWoA committee at the Wairoa hui 2009
Established in 1983 as 'Aotearoa Moananui a Kiwa Weavers' by the Maori and South Pacific Arts Council (MASPAC), the organisation received tremendous interest as it sought to revive the traditional arts of weaving. The partnership of Pacific weavers and Maori saw a dynamic exploration of materials of Aotearoa and also the experimentation of materials more common in the Pacific homelands.
Due to internal funding changes, the Maori and Pacific weavers group split in 1994. Te Roopu Raranga Whatu O Aotearoa was adopted as the new organisational name.
Committee members:
Edna Pahewa - Pouwhakahaere, Tokoroa
Christina Hurihia Wirihana - Deputy Chairperson, Rotorua
Diana Anderson - Magazine Co-ordinator, Rotorua
Whero O Te Rangi Bailey - Waitara
Morehu Henare-Flutey - Christchurch
Tracey Huxford - Magazine editor, Levin
TRRWoA
A major feature of the organisation's programmes has been the indigenous weavers network throughout the Pacific Rim. The National Weavers Symposium at Papakura Marae Auckland in 1993 was a significant reference point for the weavers and involved a large number of international guests. These relationships were strengthened again with the Indigenous Weavers International Symposium in Rotorua 2010.
The Weavers National Hui is now held biennially. At this time members elect new committee members and share progress and developments within Maori weaving techniques.
A key element in the resurgence and strength of weaving has been the development of a new generation of teachers of weaving in the tertiary institutions of the country. Many of the courses now include the National Weavers Hui as part of the course requirements.
Membership is open to all and a subscription fee entitles members to updated information in publications and special rates for the hui and other events. This includes the weavers' newsletter, regional workshops, forums, exhibitions and hui. Te Roopu Raranga Whatu this year will publish 3 newsletter's also know as the weavers magaizne.
A recent partnership with Manaaki Whenua trust has involved the systematic testing of fibre quality of traditional weaving materials. The maintenance and supply of the materials is an integral component of the organisation's philosophies. This resulted in the book He Rito, He Raranga; published 2009.
Click here for the latest committee news and arts updates.
Subscriptions for the two years 1 November 2009 - 31 October 2011 are now due.
Last updated 10 February 2010
 | Weavers Subscription Form 2009 - 2011 | PDF, 554Kb |