Piupiu (skirt)

This piupiu (waist or shoulder garment) can be worn around the waist, or across one shoulder, with the strands hanging free – the word piupiu also means to swing. These days they are worn by cultural performance groups.

Piupiu come in many styles and materials. This garment is made from the soft delicate fibre of the inner bark of houhere (lacebark), valued for weaving kete (baskets) and potae (hats). It was used in earlier times to make ropes, and bandages for newborn babies. The weaver of this piupiu has also used white feathers from the kereru (New Zealand pigeon) and brown kiwi feathers.