Ethnobotany

Poi made from raupō leaves. Collection of Mrs K Wood. Image - Sue Scheele

An important focus in our research on native plants is their cultural use by Māori, especially for weaving.

We maintain a living collection of weaving cultivars of harakeke (Phormium, New Zealand flax), which is a resource for research into fibre properties, traditional dyes, gel and seed oils. The database Ngā Tipu Whakaoranga provides fully referenced, detailed information on how Māori used plants to survive in New Zealand, before the arrival of Europeans.