Moega (mat)

This is a moega (mat) made in Tokelau in the mid twentieth century. It is woven from dried pandanus leaf and decorated with red, green dyed and natural coloured elements in a diagonal plaid pattern.

Weaving in Tokelau

In Tokelau, the weaving of mats, garments, fans and other items is usually the work of women. Weavers use dried coconut leaves and two different varieties of pandanus in their work- laufala and laukie.They take great care cutting, splitting and processing the leaves, to create different textures and properties in the completed textile.

Significance

This moega is significant as an example of late 20th century weaving from Tokelau – a practice that in the early 21st century is in decline. It is one of a number of items in Te Papa associated with Frank Corner, a New Zealand diplomat who worked in London as Deputy High Commissioner between 1952 and 1958,and later in the Pacific Islands.In 1961,Corner became New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations.He chaired the Trusteeship Council for two years, and served on the United Nations Security Council. Corner was the leading proponent of decolonisation of Pacific territories under New Zealand control, and provided the leading intellectual arguments in favour of decolonisation of Tokelau, the Cook Islands, Niue, and Western Samoa.

Acquisition History

This moega is part of a collection donated to Te Papa by Victoria Corner in 2018.