Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

Ate

Harakeke cultivar. One of the favourites in the Wanganui River district. A fine looking bush with tall, straight, wide, dark blue green blades with a definite blue bloom on the undersides of the leaves. Margin and keel very dark reddish brown. No kōrari.

Good for strong kete. Does not strip well. May be used for piupiu as it dries hard and strong but the para is inclined to adhere. For kete, it dries to a clear creamy white when boiled for one minute. More brown when unboiled. Mrs. Orchiston gives this anecdote: "My friend from this area (Whanganui) sent a telegram to inform me that she had sent the plant: `Ate flax sent today". The Post Office, assuming a spelling mistake, changed it to `Eight flax sent today"!"