Kahu Tikumu named "Te Heiwi"

Te Heiwi is a kahu tikumu woven by Nelson weaver Hamuera Manihera (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira).

Te Heiwi was woven using two resources, tikumu (Celmisia semicordata) and muka (flax fibre). Tikumu was used for the whenu (warp threads) as well as the adornments on the outer side (rau). Muka (harvested from Whatamango Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound) was used for the aho (weft threads) and also the dyed muka whenu used in the kaupapa of the kahu tikumu. We have not captured further detail relating to the process of harvesting harakeke, preparing muka, or producing natural dyes as these processes are more widely understood within the weaving community.
Roughly around 3000 tikumu leaves were used to weave the kahu tikumu. A signature piece of this kākahu is the cluster of dyed black tikumu leaves at the base.
Before commencing the weaving process, Hamuera spent many hours carefully studying images of  and older kahu tikumu housed in the Kew Museum.
The weaving technique used throughout the kaupapa is whatu aho rua (double weft twinning).

The rau (outer adornment) were attached in the same way that a feather would normally be attached, turning the short end up into the following whenu to lock it in place. For larger based rau, half was woven into the kaupapa and the other half turned up into the following whenu.
The tāpiki (lock-off) consisted of a plaited effect, with the end plaited section being folded and stitched into the kaupapa, to lock it into place. The end section of the tāpiki was lashed together using muka, and then stitched into the kaupapa using a ngira (bone needle) and an aurei (cloak pin).
The process of weaving Te Heiwi showcased both commonly practiced techniques, as well as revitalisation of techniques less commonly seen within weaving today.