Darfield High School 

A pilot course has been developed as an innovative way to trial Rewi Alley’s “Hands and Mind Together – Create and Analyse” (Hands and Mind) method of teaching at Darfield High School. This course will teach the history and creative use of raranga (flax weaving techniques).

Hands and Mind: Exploring Cultural Heritage through Harakeke and Māori Weaving

The “Hands and Mind” school project is a fascinating educational initiative that immerses students in the rich cultural heritage of Māori weaving using harakeke, or New Zealand flax. This project is designed to foster creativity, analytical thinking, and cultural appreciation among students.

Darfield High School Principal, Andy England, says, “This course is a good fit with ‘hands and mind together/create and analyse’ in that it requires – literally – hands and minds to work together in a way that a typical classroom does not. Visualising and creating, using physical processes to create an end product. I think the connection with the natural world is a bonus, especially in our modern world which is often so disconnected. It is also a productive process with the potential to develop small businesses for those who wish to do so. (akin to Rewi Alley’s motto of Gung Ho/Work together).”

Cultural Significance of Harakeke: Harakeke is deeply embedded in Māori culture, serving as a vital resource for traditional weaving practices. The project introduces students to the historical and cultural importance of harakeke, teaching them about its uses in creating everyday items such as baskets, mats, and cloaks, as well as its symbolic meanings in Māori customs.

Weaving Techniques and Skills: Students engage in hands-on learning by exploring traditional Māori weaving techniques. They learn the intricate methods of preparing and weaving harakeke fibers, gaining practical skills and an appreciation for the craftsmanship involved. This tactile experience enhances their understanding of the material and its potential.

Integration of Analytical Skills: The project encourages students to analyze the geometric patterns and structural designs characteristic of Māori weaving. By examining these patterns, students develop analytical skills and an understanding of how mathematical concepts are inherent in traditional crafts.

Connection to Indigenous Knowledge: Through this project, students connect with indigenous knowledge systems, gaining insights into how traditional practices are intertwined with the natural environment. This fosters respect for Māori culture and highlights the importance of preserving indigenous heritage.

Creative Expression and Innovation: While rooted in tradition, the project also encourages innovation. Students are invited to create their own designs and projects using harakeke, integrating contemporary ideas with traditional techniques. This blend of old and new stimulates creative thinking and personal expression.

The “Hands and Mind” project not only educates students about Māori weaving but also instills a sense of cultural pride and curiosity. It emphasizes the value of traditional crafts as a means of storytelling and cultural identity, ensuring that these skills continue to be passed down through generations.

Why This Project Is So Innovative?

A pilot project /course that closely follows Rewi Alley’s teaching/learning philosophies has never before been fully applied in a mainstream school in New Zealand. As such, this pilot is unique. It has the potential to showcase leading-edge education development at Darfield High School and to provide a viable and practical model for future development. In time, this model could be scaled up to benefit more students and the wider community, including further afield in Canterbury.

The Rewi Alley Foundation of New Zealand is committed extending this project and partnering further with Darfield High School. In time, the Foundation plans to develop Rewi Alley’s successful teaching methodology across more schools in the Canterbury Region.

This is a long-term sustainable project that the Rewi Alley Foundation is pleased to acknowledge as its inaugural project based on Rewi’s successful teaching kaupapa (methodology) of “Hands and Mind Together – Create and Analyse”.

Darfield High School Principal’s summary of this successful project in 2025

To the trustees of the Rewi Alley Foundation of New Zealand, kia ora koutou

Darfield High School was fortunate to be supported by the Rewi Alley Foundation in 2024 through a financial contribution towards signage for a pā harakeke (flax garden).

The pā is an ongoing project of our raranga class, a course in which students learn with their hands and mind together to develop skills in handling and weaving harakeke – NZ flax – into a range of products with an element of choice. So far, this has included nets as well as mats and kete / bags.

Growing our own sustainable source of harakeke has been a project of the early classes (this course was new to us in 2023) and we were supported by Manaaki Whenua of Lincoln University who allowed us to take specimen plants.

Student feedback has been very positive, across all ethnicities and nationalities we have in the school, female and male alike, and I have personally enjoyed observing students learning in the way that both Rewi Alley and I believe is so important. Our teacher, Louise Blakemore, is passionate about all aspects of raranga and is continuing to study to higher levels of knowledge in her own time.

The signs will support ongoing knowledge of the pā harakeke which we expect will be of interest to students and community members; they will acknowledge the source of the harakeke (Manaaki Whenua) and the support of the Rewi Alley Foundation.

We have really appreciated the support of the Rewi Alley Foundation and sense a good alignment with our school’s pedagogical beliefs: we would welcome the opportunity to discuss further opportunities for developing the “hands and mind together – create and analyse” philosophy.

Ngā manaakatanga
Andy England

Principal, Darfield High School