Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa Māori Weavers New Zealand

Weavers National Hui, Kokohinau Marae, Te Teko 2001.

Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa is the national collective of Maōri weavers who nurture, develop and preserve the tikanga of raranga, whatu and taniko in traditional and contemporary contexts.

The registered members of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa are spread throughout the country and centrally represented by an elected Committee of six members. The Committee actively works to promote Māori weaving at a national and international level through exhibitions, publications, workshops and art exchanges.
 
Since 1983 the biennial Weavers National Hui has been staged at different marae and attracts weavers, supporters and advocates from Aotearoa and abroad. The hui is a crucial gathering and forum for discussion about the status of Māori weaving and a regional showcase by the host community. The hui is also the time for the esteemed members of Kāhui Whiritoi to impart their knowledge and exercise their leadership, and elections to the board are held.
 
The Weavers newsletter is published quarterly and distributed to registered members. The newsletter profiles the activities of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa members and distributes information and articles that contribute to the collective knowledge about Māori weaving. As a collected archive, the newsletters document the force of Māori weaving in Aotearoa over the last three decades.

Join Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa

History of TRRWoA

History of Weavers National Hui

Weavers National Hui Customs

TRRWoA Waiata

TRRWoA Kakahu

Weavers National Hui at Ngā Hau e Whā Marae, Christchurch 2019.

Committee Members:
Paula Rigby (Chairperson)
Te Hemo Ata Henare (Deputy Chair)
Julz Nonoa, Ruth Port, Hinekura Smith, Edna Pahewa
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Mission:
To nurture, develop and preserve the techniques and tikanga of Raranga, whatu and taniko in traditional and modern contexts for Māori weavers.
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Vision:
Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa aspires to be the organisation of first choice for all matters relating to the techniques and tikanga of raranga.

Strategic Objectives:

• Retain and maintain the intellectual property rights of toi raranga whatu
• Continue to uphold and maintain toi raranga whatu
• Ensure the biennial National Weavers Hui continues to meet the needs of weavers in collaboration with the host committee
• Convene wānanga that contributes to the transference of knowledge
• Initiate and maintain international linkages through hosting hui, symposiums and conferences for indigenous weavers
• Maintain working relationships with indigenous weavers throughout Te Moana-nui-a-kiwa, the Pacific.
• Initiate, support and participate in exhibitions locally, nationally and internationally
• Assist conservators, curators and practitioners to maintain the integrity of toi raranga whatu
• Actively participate with issues of conservation, research, and cultivation of natural resources and use of other materials
• Actively promote, encourage and participate in weaver’s publications and documentaries that contribute to the retention of knowledge
• Be responsive to approaches from external stakeholders
• Promote, encourage and maintain current membership​

Further sources:
Catherine Brown and Tracey Morgan, ‘Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa 1983- )’, New Zealand History: Ngā Kōrero a Ipurangi o Aotearoa, 1993/2019, accessed 18 August 2020, https://nzhistory.govt.nz/women-together/te-roopu-raranga-whatu-o-aotearoa

Other Māori art forms:
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