In December 2024, I travelled to Los Angeles to transport a newly acquired taonga back to New Zealand.
This particular taonga is a vest crafted using raranga harakeke, incorporating fabric and velvet trim. Remarkably, it’s believed to have been made between 1900 and 1908 so I was struck by its vibrancy, considering its age.
While we don’t know the name of the weaver who made it or what iwi it came from, it is beautiful, and I was able to explore its fascinating journey during my trip.
This raranga vest is an interesting example of cross-cultural influence, innovation, and adaptation. It was collected by Carl Freeze, an American Mormon missionary who travelled extensively throughout Aotearoa New Zealand between 1904 and 1908.
His primary focus was working with Māori communities, during which he collected and was given many taonga.
