Story: Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori

First migrants bringing tropical plants

This re-enactment depicts the arrival of the ancestors of the Māori in New Zealand. Many of the tropical plants they brought with them, to provide both food and clothing, did not survive in the cooler southern climate. In time, alternative clothing materials and techniques were developed using the resources available locally.

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How to cite this page:

Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, 'Māori clothing and adornment – kākahu Māori - Adapting to new lands and climate', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/40984/first-migrants-bringing-tropical-plants (accessed 1 May 2024)

Story by Awhina Tamarapa and Patricia Wallace, published 5 Sep 2013