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Weaving the past into the future
From Spectrum 23 August 2015
Spectrum’s Lisa Thompson travelled to Lake Rotoiti to meet a couple devoted to maintaining tradition and authenticity through the art of conservation.
Tourist guides Sophia (standing), Kati and another, outside Hinemihi meeting house at Te Wairoa. Credit - Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: 1/2-029217-F
Jim’s mother Emily Schuster, herself a master weaver, cradling Jim on her back. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson
Harakeke (flax) strands drying in the ceiling of the Schuster’s workshop.
A picture of Jim’s great-aunt Guide Rangi (Rangitiaria Dennan) pinned to his noticeboard in the workshop.
Jim in front of an unusual diagonal tukutuku panel. The Schuster’s are helping to restore a number of these panels that were salvaged from a small meeting house near Paeroa, that was left badly damaged by Cyclone Bola in 1988. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson
Jim and Cathy’s workshop. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson
Jim and Cathy Schuster in front of a tukutuku panel that has some batons originally hand-carved by Jim’s great-great grandfather Tene Waitere. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson.
Piupius made by Cathy drying above the fireplace. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson
Photograph of an unidentified Maori group in front of the Hinemihi meeting house at Te Wairoa, New Zealand. Credit - Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: PAColl-6075-19
Hinemihi Meeting House after Tarawera eruption 1886. Credit - Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: PAColl-2981-2
Hinemihi in the grounds of Clandon Park House, Surrey, England. Credit - geograph.org.uk/ Francois Thomas
The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.