Whakatipu (type of rain cape)

This large whakatipu (dress raincape) is covered with rows of tags, probably made from strips of harakeke (New Zealand flax). The tags collect the rain and let it run off the cloak, keeping the wearer warm and dry.

Harakeke strips are lightly scraped with a mussel shell to soften them, then doubled over and twined into the foundation of the cloak. The foundation is made of muka (processed New Zealand flax fibre).