Story: Flax and flax working

Roadside Stories: Foxton and flax

The sleepy town of Foxton was once home to a thriving flax-milling industry. Native flax was a vital source of durable fibre for Māori, who made it into baskets, fishing nets and clothing. An export trade began from the 1820s, and a major industry developed, with large mills around Foxton.

Listen to a Roadside Story about Foxton and the flax industry. Roadside Stories is a series of audio guides to places around New Zealand.

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Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T428).

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Flax and flax working - The flax fibre industry: 1860s–1930s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/35278/roadside-stories-foxton-and-flax (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 24 Sep 2007