News: 30 October 07
Rare Dunedin flax collection studied
A unique collection of harakeke and wharariki, or New Zealand flax, growing in the Dunedin Botanic Garden is the focus of a new research project.
Dr Bronwyn Lowe has been awarded a Te Pūtaiao Fellowship by the Foundation? for Research, Science and Technology for a postdoctoral study investigating the origins of approximately 60 flax plants. These were donated to the Dunedin Botanic Garden in the 1920s, and are believed to be endemic South Island cultivars. Dr Lowe is based in Clothing and Textile Sciences at the University of Otago.
She says plants in the National New Zealand Flax Collection, under the care of Landcare Research at Lincoln in Canterbury, are recognised as taonga but they are almost exclusively from the North Island. Her work aims to establish where the Dunedin collection came from, describe the plants’ botanic, textile science and traditional weaving properties and determine their whakawhanāungatanga (relationships) with other harakeke.
Dr Lowe is working closely with Ngāi Tahu and a Mātauranga Māori consultant has been sub-contracted to the project. An advisory group has also been set up to help with data collection and to advise on tikanga .
During the three year project, the Dunedin harakeke and wharariki cultivars will be identified and named by Ngāi Tahu. Dr Lowe, who is Australian, is enrolled in a University of Otago Māori culture paper and is learning te reo Māori to assist her during her research project.
A longer term goal is to establish a second pā harakeke (plantation) of the Dunedin harakeke cultivars that can be used for harvesting and traditional weaving.
Dr Lowe gained her PhD from Charles Sturt University in Australia in 2003. She also has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Analysis) from Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours from Monash University in Australia.
The Te Tipu Pūtaiao Fellowships? scheme aims to unlock the innovation potential of Māori knowledge, people and resources, to deliver benefits to New Zealand.
Dr Bronwyn Lowe has been awarded a Te Pūtaiao Fellowship by the Foundation? for Research, Science and Technology for a postdoctoral study investigating the origins of approximately 60 flax plants. These were donated to the Dunedin Botanic Garden in the 1920s, and are believed to be endemic South Island cultivars. Dr Lowe is based in Clothing and Textile Sciences at the University of Otago.
She says plants in the National New Zealand Flax Collection, under the care of Landcare Research at Lincoln in Canterbury, are recognised as taonga but they are almost exclusively from the North Island. Her work aims to establish where the Dunedin collection came from, describe the plants’ botanic, textile science and traditional weaving properties and determine their whakawhanāungatanga (relationships) with other harakeke.
Dr Lowe is working closely with Ngāi Tahu and a Mātauranga Māori consultant has been sub-contracted to the project. An advisory group has also been set up to help with data collection and to advise on tikanga .
During the three year project, the Dunedin harakeke and wharariki cultivars will be identified and named by Ngāi Tahu. Dr Lowe, who is Australian, is enrolled in a University of Otago Māori culture paper and is learning te reo Māori to assist her during her research project.
A longer term goal is to establish a second pā harakeke (plantation) of the Dunedin harakeke cultivars that can be used for harvesting and traditional weaving.
Dr Lowe gained her PhD from Charles Sturt University in Australia in 2003. She also has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Analysis) from Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours from Monash University in Australia.
The Te Tipu Pūtaiao Fellowships? scheme aims to unlock the innovation potential of Māori knowledge, people and resources, to deliver benefits to New Zealand.