Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome to Kohi Botanical, a floral design boutique and natural healing space. Here, we embody the connection between people and te ao tūroa, our natural environment.
For the studious lovers of bespoke florals and natural blends foraged directly from the rich native forests of Tāmaki Makaurau to bring inspiration and restore the calmness within.
Harakeke
The two main varieties of flax are harakeke (Phormium tenax) and wharariki (Phormium cookianum), which has softer leaves, prized for use in more delicate work. There are many identified sub-species, each with its own weaving properties and recognised uses. In te ao Māori the harakeke plant represents the whānau. The rito (shoot) is the child. It is protectively surrounded by the awhi rito (parents), and the outer leaves represent the tūpuna (grandparents and ancestors).
Harvesting
The weaving of flax follows a long and rich tradition established by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Māori tradition includes a protocol, or tikanga, that covers both harvesting and weaving flax.
Leaves (rau) for weaving were carefully cut from the flax bushes to ensure that te rito (the centre shoot) was not harmed.
