Ka Tahi
hei tama tu tama
Maori Fibre Techniques
by Mick Pendergrast
2005, Reed Publishing, softcover, 178pp

Techniques of raranga (plaiting), whatu kakahu (cloak weaving) and whiri (braiding) are described and boldly illustrated in this Ka Tahi book, along with many more fibre arts, some of which are now rare.

Each technique is described and illustrated with photographs and detailed drawings, and comparisons are drawn with similar work from other cultures.  All are brought together in Ka Tahi: Maori Fibre Techniques, making them readily accessible to craftspeople, artists, students, museum staff and collectors.

Among the many fibre arts discussed are raranga puputu (close plaiting), raranga tatahi (open plaiting), raranga whakapuareare (plaiting with openwork), raranga whakairo (plaited patterns), whiri (braiding), kete whiri, miro (twining, rolled cord), pauku (close twining), taniko (close twining in colour), ta kupenga (knotted netting), traditional poi, tukutuku (woven wall panels), whatu hinaki (fishtrap making), windmill knotting and wickerwork.

This fabulous big book is a compilation of all the Maori fibre techniques, so if you have an interest in plaiting a kete, making a tukutuku panel, trying knotted netting, this book will put you on the right track.  It's also a wonderful historical record of fibre techniques from this part of the world, some of which are rarely seen anymore.