Paharakeke
By
Jesse Harte
Location:
Hastings
Flaxmere is also known in Maori as Paharakeke, meaning "flaxbush", or "Generations".
The flax in Maori culture metaphorically represents whanau. The center flax shoots are the children or newest generation and the ones that grow next to them are the parents, grandparents and so on.
The woven flax in this piece represent the woven community. green flax being the new members of community and the brown flax is the elder members.
The flowering branch is the metaphor for the flourishing of community.
