Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

Ruapani

Harakeke cultivar. Tall, straight, strong medium green blades. Reddish brown keel and margins on the older leaf and a fine orange-red on the younger rito leaves. Similar to Ruahine but taller, wider with finer fibre.

Very heavy, strong Tīhore type flax. Most blades strip easily and cleanly into heavy fibre, although some of the para is inclined to adhere a little. A good piupiu flax - plenty of fibre, good length, dries hard and strong. When boiled dries to a rich creamy biscuit colour. Unboiled it is slightly more greeny tone.

The early settlers would tear a strip from one of the long leaves for cordage. Almost impossible to break.