Karen Clark

Tena Koutou Katoa, Ko Karen Clark toku ingoa, Greetings Everyone, My name is Karen Clark. I have been weaving Harakeke - Phormium Tenax aka NZ Flax, for nearly 30 years and I have been teaching Raranga - Traditional Maori Basket Weaving at my studio in Waitara for nearly 5 years. I feel I have been guided to where I am and to what I am doing by my ancestors and I love to share what I have learned along my path. My favorite things about traditional Maori weaving is the meanings behind the whakairo - the patterns that retell the stories of our ancestors, and the closeness we feel to our connection to Paptuanuku - Mother Nature/The Earth and to the Universe when we practice Nga Tikanga o te Harakeke - the traditions and customs, when harvesting, preparing and weaving harakeke.