Ngatu pepa (Vilene tapa)

This ngatu pepa, made of Vilene, was made by the Kulupu Taliangi Tongan women’s group from Taniwha Street in Glen Innes, Auckland. It is a fuatanga (large rectangular tapa cloth), with a pattern which runs lengthwise. The plain border is decorated with small hand-painted motifs, and inside the border there is a narrow strip with a design of vine motifs and triangles. The main part of the ngatu has been decorated with the use of a kupesi (rubbing board), with more details added in paint.

Kulupu Taliangi meet regularly to make ngatu pepa for sale within the Tongan community. The money raised is used for community projects.