HARAKEKE - A Plant with History

HARAKEKE (NZ FLAX)

Making soap utilising one of our New Zealand plants - Harakeke was on my to do list. I, like most New Zealanders grew up with flax bushes everywhere and didn't think too much about them. The plant has an interesting history - and while researching the medicinical uses of the plant I compiled the below information for those that are interested in learning more. This soap is dedicated to my Dad. I think he would of liked it.

There are two native species of flax in New Zealand, common flax (harakeke) and mountain flax (wharariki). It has broad stiff sword-shaped leaves 1–3 metres long that grow in a fan shape. It produces a flowering stalk (kōrari) that grows up to five metres tall from the centre of the fan, which dies after flowering has taken place. It is found throughout New Zealand in lowland swamps from sea level up to 1,300m.

The first European traders called it ‘flax’ because its fibres were similar to that of true flax found in other parts of the world – but it actually is from the day-lily family Hemerocallidaceae. Harakeke’s Latin name is Phormium Tenax.

Flax to early Maori cannot be overstated, it was the most important thing to them after food. Each pā or marae had their own flax plantation. The muka (flax fibre) was woven, twisted and plaited to create all manner of items in their everyday life from clothing to mats, plates, baskets, sandals, ropes, bird snares, lashings, fishing lines and nets.

It also had great cultural significance. The plants fan structure represents the family (whanau). The central shoot or rito was the baby and the leaves on either side of it the awhi rito or mātua (its parents). Only the leaves on the outside – the tūpuna, grandparents or ancestors – were cut, to avoid weakening the plant.

All parts of the plant was used medicinally - the leaf, roots and flower stalks. The roots were beaten to a pulp, heated or roasted and used hot to bring forward abscesses. The poultice was also used for swollen joints.

Gum which oozed from the cut base leaves was applied to burns, cuts and old sores and internally for diarrhoea. Splints for broken bones were made from leaf bases, and flax fibres or strips were used for sewing up a wound. It also was noted that flower stalks were burnt to charcoal, pounded and dusted on burns, which apparently healed without scaring.

European explorers were quick to recognise the plants potential back in the 1700s. Rope was then in demand for rigging on sailing ships and many other purposes. Early engagement between Maori and Europeans commenced with exchanges of their goods and services.

It was a native plant of economic export importance. Flax was this country’s biggest export earner by far until ­frozen mutton kicked in late in the 19th century. It was extensively harvested for its strong leaf fibres for ropes and linen as early as 1820 with trade to Australia. Flax mills were located throughout New Zealand often near the flax swamps they were harvesting from. By 1870 there were 161 flax mills with 1,766 workers located across New Zealand. It was extremely hard work. The flax fibre industry then expanded with the developments in mechanical harvesting from 1860 to the 1930’s.

Unfortunately it was a tough market -  with many booms and busts in the industry over it’s lifespan – initially competition with other worldwide natural fibres, new technology where steam ships took over from sailing ships (which didn’t used ropes), yellow leaf disease in the early 1900s which caused many mills to close, the removal of government protection in the form of restricting imports for like items, then finally in the 1970's competition from synthetic fibres hastened its demise. The last flax manufacturing plant closed in 1985.

In saying all that - there will become a time when we all get our heads out of the sand, we get rid of the corrupt government intervention and go back to these natural products - wool, hemp, flax just to name a few will be so much better - with the right intentions and sustainable harvesting it will be great for us and the environment too.