Manu tukutuku (traditional kite making) workshop

This workshop is presented by Te Rautini Sheridan, one of the creative residents currently based at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre.

You will learn how to create one of the many traditional kites that Māori enjoyed making and using for a variety of reasons.

Traditionally, kites were made using manuka, raupō (bull rushes), toetoe (cutty grass), harakeke (flax), aute (mulberry tree bark), muka (flax thread), and other materials. Some of these materials will be provided, with a few modern interventions. All the materials that you will use will breakdown or decompose. Most people will keep their manu tukutuku as an ornamental treasure (taonga) as a tangible reward for making their first natural Māori kite. They were always treated as taonga, given names and shared many historical events, some hundreds of years ago yet still spoken about today.

“Me he manu tukutuku ka kitea whanuitia”

“Be like the manu tukutuku, so we can see afar”

This event is part of The Arts Centre's School Holiday Fun (27 Sep - 13 Oct), a lively programme packed full with events to nurture creativity, spark imagination and entertain pre-schoolers through to teens.