HARAKEKE (FLAX) CARE AND USES

By Giarne Harrison

In Halswell, we are blessed with a lot of harakeke that is Council planted and maintained as well as lots in our own gardens. Harakeke is like any plant; in that it can become overgrown if not attended to properly. It can also be challenging when planted right by pathways or where it spreads into or falls over mowing areas.

Harakeke is a really useful plant - the leaves can be used for weaving; and the korari (stems) can be used to make tī rakau - for playing stick games. The council has a great website that gives some info: https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/harakeke/ 

If you'd like to keep the bushes near you in tidy condition here are a few tips.

• always say a karakia (a short one is given in this article)
• never cut the middle three leaves, they keep the bush alive
• start cutting close to the middle leaves and cut as straight down to the ground as possible (this helps rain flow off the cut area)
• treat the plant and leaves with respect as they represent our tipuna/ancestors
• always wash your hands after handling (harakeke can have a laxative impact)
• do not cut at night, in the rain, or whilst menstruating
• proper cutting prevents pooling rain, mould and diseases setting in and allows air and sun to circulate

In the article there is a pic showing a well cut back plant (photo taken by Giarne Harrison of some Halswell harakeke) and a graphic from the Council website showing the parts of the plant (sourced from the link provided above). 

All parts of the harakeke plant need to be disposed as general, red waste as the fibre content means it doesn't break down well as compost. It can be cut into pieces and used as a mulch and weed suppressant. We used to put waste back under the plants but that can sometimes spread disease so that's not common anymore.

If you'd like some help cutting back your plant, I'm happy to help if I have time. You can contact me by email - giarne@gmail.com  I'm a local weaver and always happy to help when I can. If you have concerns about the harakeke on council land you can snap, send, solve or call the Council to let them know an area needs a tidy up - 941 8999.

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