Māori Cloaks: Past practices and ways forward with Dr. Rangi Te Kanawa

Conservator and weaver Dr. Rangituatahi Te Kanawa MNZM will lead a small group in examining Māori cloaks in the MAA's collection. This event will be chaired by Dr. Eve Haddow (MAA, Cambridge). Rangi will speak on the significance of Phormium tenax, flax or harakeke in customary Māori culture. Numerous artefacts, and especially kākahu (cloaks), exemplify the importance of this enduring plant. The group will have a rare opportunity to examine exceptionally significant early kākahu from the collections of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. These woven artefacts and approaches to their conservation will be discussed.

Dr. Rangituatahi Te Kanawa MNZM has a strong background in Māori textile weaving. This afforded her a career in conservation of textiles, specialising in the conservation of Māori textiles. The deterioration of iron tannate dyed black fibres in Māori textiles has been her focus. Following long-term work at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Rangi works with communities presenting on best practices for collection care and as a conservator in private practice.

Image: Kahutoi cloak D 1924.80, 18th century, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge