Te Ara Haumanu - PĀ HARAKEKE

With the help of Manaaki Whenua (Landcare Research), located in Christchurch, we were able to gain different 13 strains of harakeke plants for planting a Pā Harakeke. Te Hapū o Tapu-te-Ranga Marae sent two members to Christchurch in November to acquire harakeke followed by a two-day wānanga. During this time, ringatoi rāranga were able to demonstrate how to split larger harakeke plants (growing onsite), how to plant new seedlings in pots and how to care for our seedlings. 8 Hapū members have taken pot plants of harakeke home to nurse until such time that the plants are strong enough to be planted on the whenua. Tapu-te-Ranga now have 56 seedlings from 14 different strains of harakeke to begin our Pā Harakeke. Te Ara Haumanu series was highly successful in igniting a passion for te ao Māori within te Hapū o Tapu-teRanga Marae. We would like to thank all the members of the Hapu for the effort and the time given to make the establishment of a pa harakeke a reality for Tapu-te-Ranga marae where the Pā Harakeke will present intergenerational benefits