Story: Ngā tupu mai i Hawaiki – plants from Polynesia

Aute – paper mulberry

Aute – paper mulberry

The aute (paper mulberry) was introduced into New Zealand by the ancestors of Māori. It was prized in Polynesia, where the bark was beaten into tapa cloth. However, it was difficult to cultivate in New Zealand’s cooler climate, and never thrived. In New Zealand, aute was beaten into paper, which was rolled into small pieces to make earrings. It was also one of the materials used to construct manu aute (a type of kite).

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Louise Furey, 'Ngā tupu mai i Hawaiki – plants from Polynesia - From Polynesia to New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17490/aute-paper-mulberry (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Louise Furey, published 24 Nov 2008