Rozweavenz

25/08/2026

Green Walnut husks produce colour with no need to mordant ( Substantive dye) but I’ve found that prior immersion in Tannin brew ( Kanuka & Tea) then completely drying the fibres ( NZ Flax Harakeke Phormium Tenax) then immersing in the heated Walnut brew & steeping for a few days, enhances the colour. My recent Wananga on natural dyes went well, but it is a long process to get concentrated Wairakau ( plant based brews) by soaking & boiling & steeping. I have also learnt that wood ash can be very damaging to muka fibres so will treat quickly then rinse well, next time. Always learning…

06/08/2026

Raukawa blades free to a good home. I’ve been cleaning/ harvesting to get rid of red mould, prior to flower stalks setting. I am always caring for the plants. This variety of Harakeke (NZ Flax Phormium Tenax) dries white & waxy, has good length & is lovely for woven baskets with good muka ( fibre) for whiri styles. Aotea Harbour, near Kawhia.

19/07/2026

Tapamangu is a black rimmed variety of Harakeke (NZ flax Phormium Tenax) which I harvested today, as I needed to clean if from red mould. It is great for Pokini & hukahuka tags or short Piupiu. I have tendonitis, but the bush on the left needs to be removed, so please come & get these blades, and rescue some fans if you want this variety.

01/07/2026

After some Seller/ Buyer Remorse, my Manu Kotahitanga has come back home to roost. A huge sense of relief from the grief I felt when it went away. When my Tendonitis improves, I’ll miro ( 2 ply) the remaining flax fibres, full length, and I think I will keep it! It has been dyed using organic methods, including traditional Maori Wairakau ( brews from plants), ash or Iron rich mud. Wananga ( workshops) are available on request.

26/06/2026

Kanuka, Tanekaha, Hinau & Tapamangu (black rimmed flax) Harvesters welcome.

23/06/2026

Winter Solstice Colours…Kanuka seeds, twigs & leaves & bark. Willow bark & ash of Mahoe, Pohutukawa, Kanuka wood. Leaves & seeds of fennel, Dock root, climbing dock ( Rumex Saggittatus) leaves & flowers & roots, Raurekau roots, leaves & bark. Beetroot & leaves, Kawakawa leaves, Turmeric, Pimento, Garam Marsala, and Dilmah tea. It is about Tannin content, then ash for Alkaline change of colour & fixative.

19/06/2026

I’ll be brewing some Kanuka mordant with high tannin content & making flax fibre muka tomorrow & Sunday if anyone wants to come over & harvest Tapamangu Pa Harakeke. Happy Winter Solstice

04/06/2026

Making a Korowai and Maori Art - a tongue in cheek look at costs.Fun but true. NB: Involves swearing

03/06/2026

Update! She’s flown the Coop! Lucky the Manu has flown not too far from here, in Good hands. Fully appreciative of the importance of iron rich mud, Wetlands & the healthy waterways. Feeling Grateful

This is only the 2 remaining pieces of the Winner of the Kaitiakitanga Section of Raglan Art to Wear 2025 consisting of rolled flax fibres ( Muka Miro) dyed usi...