Harakeke: the Rene Orchiston Collection

Over the centuries, New Zealand flaxes with particular qualities for specialized uses, such as weaving, were carefully selected, cultivated and exchanged. Rene Orchiston of Gisborne spent over 30 years tracking down, documenting and maintaining in cultivation as many of these traditional cultivars as could be found. Her collection forms the basis of a National Collectin maintained by Manaaki-Whenua Lancare research. This booklet is a revised catalogue of her collection. Some 50 flaxes are described and particular uses noted.