Morehu Henare

Morehu's great-grandmother was a Ngati Porou (tribe) weaver of the North Island of New Zealand, expert in the forms of tukutuku weaving and kete weaving.

29 Jun 2006

Tribal Affiliation: Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou, Nga Puhi Nui Tonu

Morehu started weaving taniko (geometric finger-weaving) while in her mid-20s, almost 30 years ago. Nowadays, she works with a variety of different materials, often using natural fibres sourced from the mountainous and tussock areas of her tribal lands of Ngai Tahu.

She collects and uses materials such as poa (mountain grass), neinei (a shrub) from the snowy areas, kiekie (a climbing plant), tikumu (mountain daisy) and pingao (sedge grass).

In her weaving, she creates works that make a feature of the colours and textures of the natural fibres. The items she makes out of the alpine materials are mostly kakahu (cloaks) and kete (woven baskets).

Morehu grew up near the city of Christchurch at Tuahiwi Pa, in North Canterbury. She was brought up in a traditional environment, where she remembers seeing tukutuku (panel) weaving in the local hall, kowhaiwhai (traditional painted rafters) in the school buildings, and people wearing their cloaks for ceremonial and solemn occasions.

Morehu's great-grandmother was a Ngati Porou (tribe) weaver of the North Island of New Zealand, expert in the forms of tukutuku weaving and kete weaving.