Harvesting harakeke
Aim
To understand that there are protocols and processes related to collecting harakeke.
The leaves of harakeke are like a whānau. New leaves grow in the centre of the plant. These youngsters are called rito and are protected on each side by the awhi rito leaves. All the leaves share the roots and gain strength by being part of the whole plant.
- Why do you think it is important not to cut the rito and awhi rito leaves?
- Why do you think it is important to cut the leaves at an angle pointing away from the plant?
- Does it make sense to you that harakeke is likened to a whānau?
- Why it is important not to cut the leaves when it has been raining?
Whakataukī and waiata for harvesting harakeke
Many of our whakataukī about harakeke can tell us a lot about caring for the environment.
Discuss with a friend why you think the message in the whakataukiī below is true for harakeke?
Tungia te ururoa, kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu a te harakeke
Burn the undergrowth so the flax will shoot up.
(Clear away what is bad and the good will flourish.)
Hutia te rito o te harakeke
Kei whea te kōmako e kō?
Kī mai ki ahau
He aha te mea nui
o tēnei ao?
Māku e kī atu
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
- What do you think this waiata means?
- Why will the kōmako (korimako) have nowhere to sing?