Picking Harakeke (flax)

Kia ora, everyone can you guess were room 19 went last week? We went to the Omaru Creek straight across from our school. Our class went to Omaru Creek not only to pick flax but to learn the meaning of what you don't do and what you can do with it.

First Ms Tito gave us a korero (talk) about the flax. The main thing that she was wanting us to know was that the Harakeke was a taonga to the Maori.

One of the rules were that there were a family of harakeke in the bush. There are three harakeke and they are very special. There is a pepi (baby) harakeke in the middle and a Matua (Dad) on one side and a whaea (Mum) on the other side. If you cut these the whole plant will die.

When you cut harakeke always cut it diagonil. You never ever cut harakeke when it is raining or when it is night time because you might cut the Pepi.

When we got back as soon as we got started I had to go to quoir practice. It was a real number because I missed out. But that is all right I already know how to make a Putiputi (flour). It was amazingly fun picking Harakeke.