|
Kia ora mai, tēna koutou e hoa! Haere mai ki Flaxworx.co.nz. Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, a tēnā tātou katoa.
Welcome, Willkommen to Flaxworx.co.nz
Ko Koenigstein tōku maunga. Ko Elbe tōku awa. Ko North Sea tōku moana. Ko Tiamana tōku iwi. Ko Saxony tōku rohe. Ko Dresden tōku wahi noho. Ko Saxon tōku hapu. Ko Geoffrey Baker tōku tāne. Ko Ngapuhi tōna iwi. Ko Ngati Rangi rāua ko Te Hikutu tōna hapu. Ko Ngawha tōna marae. Ko Rita tōku ingoa. Kahore aku tamariki.
My name is Rita Baker, originally from Dresden/Germany - together with my husband Geoffrey of Ngapuhi, Ngati Rangi and Te Hikutu descent we started FLAXWORX.co.nz. Now another weaver and friend Liane Panui (Ngapuhi) has joined the team with her great knowledge about all things kapa haka and waiata (plus of course weaving).
After 10 months of full time study at UNITEC here in Auckland Liane and I graduated with a "Certificate in traditional and contemporary Maori Weaving" in November 2007. Since then we have been attending various Weavers Wananga around the country (including the National ones that are held every two years) to increase our knowledge and to meet other weavers.
We are full members of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu O Aotearoa and do follow traditional Maori tikanga (customs) when creating our pieces of art.
At this point I would also like to acknowledge some of our tutors. Foremost Whaea Judy Hohaia and Whaea Te Orihau Te Tai who not only tought me weaving but have been a big part of my "growing up" in the Maori World. I also like to mention Whaea Ann Uerata who inspired me to start this course the year before. I could not have learnt so much about Maori culture, customs and art without these Three. Recently I have also been blessed with the expert guidance of Nanny Mere Walker from Te Roopu Waihanga Taonga O Putauaki in Kawerau who always helps me to go the extra mile when it comes to new idea's and old customs.
I do believe I still have a long way to go to perfect (if ever) this great traditional art and to call myself a weaver (that will be an even longer way). At the course we learnt the techniques and basics of many different parts of maori weaving but only time and loads of practise will help me to produce a result one is happy with - so if this is your first time here and you haven't found what you like or after - come back from time to time - there will be constant updates and improvements.
Last but not least - if you ever thought of buying that special present or corporate gift for someone - let me help you and make it for you, give us a call if what you want is not as a sample here on this site and we can discuss your idea's.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, kia ora anō tātou.
Kia Ora, Thank you, Danke
Rita & Geoffrey Baker
|
