Field trip to flax collection, Dunedin Botanic Garden.

This trip has been rescheduled for this Saturday 2 August - meet 10am. Reasonable weather is required - if in doubt on the day contact Debra Carr 021 239 3045. Debra Carr from Clothing & Textile Science, University of Otago and Rua McCallum (Ngai Tahu) will introduce the Rene Weaving Collection and the 'Dunedin Cultivars' which have whitau (fibre) as good as the best in the Rene Collection. The Dunedin Cultivars were donated to the Garden in the early 1900s by Matthews, a Dunedin horticulturist. Debra & Rua will teach how to care for and clean harakeke according to traditional methods and demonstrate how whitau is extracted. Bring a sharp knife that has not been used for food, gardening gloves, boots, packed lunch and warm clothing. SPECIAL NOTE: Meet in the carpark next to the Polytechnic Centre, Botanic Garden, on Lovelock Avenue. If in doubt contact Debra Carr 021 239 3045.