At Te Whare Akoranga o Te Pane o Mataoho, we were honoured to welcome Ataarangi, a renowned tohunga mahi Aute, who generously shared her maatauranga with our team. Her visit was a deeply enriching experience, connecting us to the ancient art of Aute and the cultural legacy it carries.
Aute, also known as the paper mulberry tree, holds a special place in the traditions of many Pacific cultures. Under Ataarangi’s expert guidance, we learned the intricate process of transforming the bark of the Aute tree into Aute cloth—a practice that requires patience, skill, and deep respect for the taonga that nature provides.
Step by step, Ataarangi walked us through the harvesting, soaking, beating, and shaping of the aute bark. The resulting cloth is not only beautiful but also versatile. It can be crafted into taonga such as jewelry, art pieces, manu Aute (traditional kites), clothing, and more—each creation carrying the spirit of the land and the hands that shaped it. We are fortunate at our education centre to have a thriving Aute Paa, a resource that allows us to continue this mahi and share it with our community.
