A master weaver says kiwi feathers brought into the country through a new programme will be in high demand amongst her fellow craftspeople.
The feathers are being collected from moulting kiwi at several United States zoos, so the Department of Conservation can distribute them amongst Maori weavers.
The programme was launched by the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington.
Christina Wirihana chair of the national weavers committee, Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa, says the feathers are difficult to get in New Zealand.
She says making cloaks, or korowai, with them holds a great deal of mana.
Mrs Wirihana hopes DoC will work with the national weavers committee to ensure the feathers go to master weavers, who traditionally handle them.
