Making our manu taratahi

Making our manu taratahi for the craft fair.

To begin with the tamariki of Honu learned how to harvest harakeke and said a karakia before they gathered the harakeke to be used for binding. 

Next they bound their two toetoe sticks together, using the string they had made using the harakeke, and to finish off the tapatoru (triangle) frame they added one more stick to the bottom.    

Then came the tricky stage, measuring and binding the raupo to the frame.  

The tamariki found this really challenging and some went deep into the learning pit before coming out the other side.  It was fantastic to see the tamariki who were having success help those who were still finding it challenging to criss cross the harakeke string to bind the raupo to the toetoe stick.  

These will be on sale at the craft fair, they look lovely as a wall hanging or can be flown as kites if sturdy.