Harakeke weaving

The Te Tumu consortium, led by Naylor Love, have been engaged for the design and construction of Te Tātoru o Wairau (the Marlborough Schools Project). This involves the co-location of Marlborough Boys’ and Marlborough Girls’ Colleges to a new shared campus, as well as the relocation of Bohally Intermediate to a new site to make space for the co-location.

The name Te Tātoru o Wairau was chosen for the project by Te Tauihu iwi Ngāti Rārua, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Ngāti Kuia, representing a three-plait rope that symbolises the three schools coming together as one construction project.

To celebrate the year that has been on the project, which included the completion of multiple design milestones, Te Tumu came together for a not-so-typical design meeting where we were introduced to the art of harakeke weaving. The team was guided through three different flower designs, as well as being educated on associated protocols for harvesting and using harakeke to give context to its traditional value.

The project’s main build site used to be the location of a thriving flax mill of archaeological importance, so the activity not only provided a way for the team to wind down and celebrate, but also allowed us to connect on multiple levels to the project’s name, site, and most importantly the uara (values) which underpin it.

Once the teams’ creations have finished drying on the windowsills of the Christchurch office, they will be bound into bouquets and included in the clients’ Kirihimete gifts!