Customs of the Weavers National Hui
On behalf of Rangitāne and Manawatū weavers, hosts of the 2003 Weavers National Hui at Awhitū marae, Lovey Hodkinson offered ‘Rangimārie’ as a taonga aroha to Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa.
This waka huia, carved by Charlie Matenga of Rangimārie marae, was presented as a tribute to Emily Schuster, who served as the founding Convenor of Moananui-a-Kiwa Weavers (1983-1993) and Chair of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa (1993-1997) and symbolised weavers of the past whose knowledge, excellence and expertise had kept the art form of raranga alive. Serving Chair, Ranui Ngarimu accepted Rangimārie on behalf of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa, dedicated the waka huia to carrying the mauri of the Weavers National Hui and presented to the hosts of the next hui at the poroporakī containing a koha to assist their preparations. This practice has continued to the present, and in 2005, Taranaki weavers offered a kumete to hold ‘Rangimārie’. |