Raranga Whakairo: Māori Plaiting Patterns — Mick Pendergrast
Raranga Whakairo – Māori Plaiting Patterns
Mick Pendergrast
The long-awaited return of Mick Pendergrast's landmark work on Māori plaiting patterns, proudly brought back into print by Kiwa Art.
Raranga Whakairo by Mick Pendergrast is widely regarded as one of the definitive books on traditional Māori plaiting patterns and Māori weaving. First published in 1984, this landmark publication documents more than 200 traditional raranga whakairo patterns from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, preserving an important part of Māori weaving knowledge and cultural heritage.
Compiled over more than twenty years of research and fieldwork, the book carefully records and illustrates traditional patterns found on original woven objects, including kete, whāriki (floor mats), tauira and other forms of Māori plait work. Accompanying notes identify makers where known, iwi affiliations, materials, construction techniques and regional variations, making the book an invaluable resource for both practical weaving and academic study.
Whether you are learning Māori weaving, researching kete construction, studying traditional flax weaving techniques or seeking inspiration for contemporary design, Raranga Whakairo remains one of New Zealand's most respected references. Its clear illustrations and carefully documented patterns continue to make it indispensable for beginners, experienced weavers, artists, educators, museums, collectors and libraries.
The influence of this work extends well beyond weaving itself. Designers, sculptors, textile artists and makers continue to draw inspiration from the sophisticated geometry and visual language of traditional Māori plaiting patterns documented within its pages.
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Publisher's Note
Originally published in 1984, Raranga Whakairo has become one of the most important reference books on Māori plaiting traditions. Kiwa Art is honoured to have brought this significant work back into print, ensuring it remains available to weavers, researchers, museums, libraries, collectors and future generations.
About the Author
Mick Pendergrast is one of New Zealand's most respected authorities on Māori fibre arts. His lifelong interest in weaving began while teaching in communities on the East Coast of New Zealand and developed through work as a Volunteer Service Abroad teacher in the Solomon Islands and on the remote Polynesian island of Tikopia. He later held positions within several of New Zealand's leading museums, where he continued his research into Māori fibre arts and material culture.
He is also the author of Te Mahi Kete: Māori Basketry for Beginners and Feathers and Fibre, the catalogue accompanying the first major exhibition of Māori flaxcrafts, which he curated.
This edition faithfully preserves the original content while presenting it in an updated format, ensuring this important work remains available for generations to come.
Features
Over 200 traditional Māori plaiting (raranga whakairo) patterns
Detailed illustrations with accompanying documentation
Information on artists, iwi, materials and construction methods
Suitable for beginners through to experienced weavers
Essential reference for artists, educators, museums, libraries and collectors
Proudly brought back into print by Kiwa Art
For more than forty years, Raranga Whakairo has been recognised as one of the essential reference books on Māori weaving traditions and continues to be valued by practitioners, researchers and institutions throughout New Zealand and overseas.
Shipping
Free shipping throughout New Zealand.
Worldwide shipping is available. International postage is charged at cost (typically around NZ$50, depending on destination).
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Published by Kiwa Art Publishing
