Extraction, content, strength, and extension of Phormium variety fibres prepared for traditional Maori weaving

Abstract

The traditional haro method was used to strip fibres from the leaf blades of 11 Phormium varieties used by Maori for traditional weaving and plaiting. The content, strength, and extension characteristics of fibres differed markedly among the varieties. These fibre characteristics also differed according to the part of the leaf blade from which the fibre was extracted. Although strong correlations showed that varieties with high fibre content also had the strongest and most extendable fibre, some varieties deviated from those relationships. The fibre characteristics of the varieties correspond to their traditional uses by Maori and also to their history of use in the now defunct commercial phormium-fibre industry.