Many hands make roses
Cruise ship passengers arriving in Timaru during February are set to again be welcomed with a woven harakeke (flax) rose.
The unique gifts, symbolising Timaru’s Ma¯ori rock art and the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden, have been woven by residents at workshops hosted by PrimePort Timaru and Aoraki Development, the second of which was held on Saturday and attracted about 25 sets of hands.
‘‘We thought with it being a nice day, some people might have carried on [with other things] but they came along and helped us make 600 roses,’’ PrimePort executive assistant Maria Christie said.
‘‘They really enjoyed it. Everyone was asking when we would be holding another one. We also had inquiries about making them at home and where to drop them off.’’
Christie said those attending were a variety of age groups, from children with ‘‘nimble little fingers’’ to retirees.
Workshops would continue to be held throughout the year, depending on the availability of expert weaver Sally Reihana.
The inaugural workshop was held in November in anticipation of the first cruise ship to berth in Timaru in three years. About 600 roses were handed out to passengers coming ashore from the Seabourn Encore.
‘‘We had a few left over from that and we now have a wee stockpile.’’
Timaru has three more cruise ships visits this season – the Silver Muse on Friday, the Seabourn Encore on February 14, and the Europa 2 on February 15.
Aoraki Development operations manager Di Hay said the idea for the roses was born from a desire to create a ‘‘special memento’’ for visitors.
‘‘[We] use some of our ancient Ma¯ ori weaving skills and a make a long-term rose that’s a dried flower they can take away with them,’’ Hay said.
‘‘It looks quite simple when you see a finished product but it takes a little skill to actually get it perfect. Every one is a little bit different and that’s part of what makes it special.’’
Hay said many of the people coming to the workshops knew nothing about harakeke weaving.
‘‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to share an ancient Ma¯ori skill and have a chance for free just to come along, sit down, have a chat with your friends, and learn the skill.’’