Flaxworx NZ

08/06/2026

Some Random photos I came across this morning from way back in 2021 - back up in the Bay of Islands (oh, how I miss the warmer climate!).

Snapshots of one week...

I was actually looking for some specific ones of a friend who sadly passed away last night, and these were in the same phone folder...

Goes to show that life is interesting and sometimes sad. Maybe some of you in Auckland might have known him (given how many people follow our page). His name is Nathan Andrews (also known as NaeNae), and he used to work with Geoff at the Ponsonby Icon SPQR back in the day...He's from up Te Kao, and his tangi will be this Friday up there. Going down memory lane is all we can do. Moe mai rā dear friend!

07/06/2026

Wall Art — A Blast from the Past

There's something bittersweet about rediscovering old photos of work you'd almost forgotten you made. I used to create so many of these wall pieces — and then a few years ago, the photos vanished in our house fire. These are the ones that got away...or I have made since.

I love wall art because it refuses to be defined. Anything that can be hung becomes a canvas — and that means texture, colour, natural materials, and pure imagination all get a seat at the table. Mahi Raranga isn't just Kete and Kakahu; it's a whole creative world waiting to be explored.

If you've ever been curious about making your own wall hanging, come find us at The Weavers Circle — our dedicated learning hub on the website (flaxworx.co.nz), where we have video tutorials to walk you through it, step by step. We'd love to see what you create. 🌿

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

Raffle #2 Results are in:-)

Congratulations to all the winners and THANK YOU
to everybody who bought a ticket!

We will probably run two more sets of raffles before we leave
on our big trip in August but right now - enjoy some time off on
the Raffle Front:-)

Nga mihi nui

06/06/2026

Preparing Harakeke whenu with muka ends – video two of two 🙂

This is the follow-up to our first video, and this time you can see me using a mussel shell to extract the muka ends — a simple but effective tool that you might not expect!

As always, there is more to this than meets the eye — and the way we do things isn't necessarily the way others do them. When it comes to each personal Raranga Learning Journey, there truly is no such thing as "right or wrong" — or at least, that's what we were taught, and it's something we carry with us in everything we share.

We hope you enjoy this one, and if you missed the first video, be sure to go back and check it out!

https://youtu.be/kQZP6rNGaEY

05/06/2026

Preparing Harakeke whenu with muka ends – video one of two 🙂

This one was originally filmed on a phone for Facebook and Instagram, but we've now uploaded it to YouTube as well, where it's much easier to find.

As always, there's more to this than meets the eye — and the way we do things isn't necessarily the way others do them. When it comes to each personal Raranga Learning Journey, there really is no such thing as "right or wrong" — or at least, that's what we were taught.

Have a look at the link below, and stay tuned for the second video coming soon!

https://youtu.be/ByQBPbwYSjY

05/06/2026

Contact Taura Toi if you want him to run a wananga in your area.

You'd be in very good hands with him & learn a lot. He is also a very dear friend.

Burial casket. Woven to teach people how to do it, and gifted to a weaver, in hospice, who wanted to be buried in one but didn't think there was anyone who could do it for her.
A great effort from the 5 that turned up, out of the 21 who registered to say they would

05/06/2026

Sharing is caring

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H4f39hvMr/

One would not expect a beautiful mountain daisy to produce such warm and soft fibre that even has thermal and water repellant properties, Aporo-Manihera said.

04/06/2026

Flaxworx Online Shop Update 🎉

We have some great news to share — lots of your favourite products are back in stock! Only on Flaxworx.co.nz

RIT Dyemore Synthetic is fully restocked across all colours, and we're thrilled to say that all colours of Basic Dye Powder are back too. A quick heads-up though — Crystal Violet is running low and will be discontinued by the manufacturer, so grab yours while you can!

Back in our Tools section, we have some lovely haehae, along with a selection of Tukutuku frames and Kete Muka stands — perfect for your next project.

Crafters, rejoice! All colours of the gorgeous Kamihimo Craft Paper are back in stock, and our DIY kits are flying off the shelves. If you're looking for inspiration or guidance, don't forget we have free video tutorials on YouTube to help you make the most of this wonderful winter crafting material.

We do apologise that our Mahi Raranga section is a little bare at the moment — we're working on it and hope to have more available soon.

Happy crafting! 🌿

03/06/2026

These just popped up on my memories...

In some areas kiekie does not even flower or fruit anymore due to heavy predation by Possums in particular. They do love the taste of those just as much as humans do...

I took these photos a few years ago in a Reserve with heavy trapping, so the plants could regenerate enough to bear fruit.

Oh - for those who do not know, this is Kiekie - Freycinetia banksii and the fruit in the second picture is called Ureure.