Rāranga - the art of weaving

Abstract

Raranga Harakeke (weaving with flax) is a sensory modulation tool used by the ‘Pupukemoana’ team, a child and adolescent mental health team based at Waitemata District Health Board in Tamaki Makaurau. It is an effective tool that uses western sensory concepts to self-regulate and make emotional adjustments by implementing a Māori cultural perspective using flax weaving. Prior to this project there were no Māori cultural constructs/tools offered to Māori whānau by the Child Youth & Family Mental Health Services based at Waitemata District Health Board. Raranga Harakeke provide a range of Māori values and concepts, practices and principles that can be drawn on to work effectively within whānau dynamics to assist in healing and well-being.