Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

KUTA, PAOPAO, kutakuta, kūwāwā, wāwā (names all recorded by Best); ngāwhā (Andersen 1926) 

bamboo spike sedge, tall spike sedge

Used for plaiting mats, kete, hats, some garments.

Potae taua - mourning caps or fillets (without a crown). Worn by widows in former times. Stalks peeled off the outer covering, leaving the white inner part, which was then made into a fillet. Potae taua sometimes dyed (Best 1898).

Description of maro kuta, (`apron") worn by girls, in Best 1898.

Stems occasionally used to make sails ( Best 1925).

Coarse floor mats made (Best 1898)

In Wairarapa, kites framework sometimes covered with kuta leaves ( Best 1925)

In the early literature, it is not always clear whether the sedge referred to is E. sphacelata or Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani. Both were used. E. sphacelata is used for softer items - hats, maro, delicate kete, sleeping mats. S. tabernaemontani is harder-wearing.