Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

Arawa

Harakeke cultivar. Straight, fairly long, medium green blades. Up to 2.5 metres tall. Reddish orange margin and keel. Very high flower heads but seldom flowers.

DNA testing shows Arawa is the same as, or closely related, to Makaweroa, Ruapani, Taumataua, Opiki.

Excellent muka flax. The best Mrs. Orchiston has found for producing long strands of clean fibre with haro method. Good for piupiu as it is so easy to prepare. Especially good for ladies' piupiu because of its length although the prepared strips do not dry as strong as other varieties. When boiled for 1 minute, it dries to a cream colour. Ideal for whenu (warp) and aho (weft) in korowai, for muka kete, etc.