WHY HARAKEKE?
WHY HARAKEKE?
From woven baskets to tomorrow’s packaging, Harakeke carries a legacy of strength and sustainability. As a regenerative, non-food crop grown on marginal land, it delivers fibres stronger than wood pulp with lower-impact processing and no harsh chemicals. Naturally home-compostable, Harakeke packaging supports local supply chains and iwi partnerships while offering versatile applications across food, cosmetics, electronics, and giftware. At ZEDLAB we design to fabricate - from CAD and prototyping through to production-ready solutions - always guided by tikanga and respectful harvesting practices.
How we harvest harakeke.
Harakeke (New Zealand flax) is a taonga (treasure) in Aotearoa, valued for its strength, versatility, and deep cultural significance. At ZEDLAB, we follow tikanga (customary practices) to ensure that our harvesting respects the mauri (life force) of the plant and the environment.
Our Harvesting Principles
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Harakeke is part of the natural ecosystem and Māori heritage. We acknowledge its role as a living being, not just a raw material.
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We harvest the older leaves from the outside of the fan, leaving the central shoots (rito, the child) and the two outer leaves beside it (awhi rito, the parents) untouched. This ensures the plant continues to grow and regenerate.
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Cutting is done with sharp, clean tools to avoid damage. Harvesting is avoided during flowering, as this is an important time for pollinators and the plant’s natural cycle.
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Leaves are cut diagonally towards the ground. This prevents water collecting in the stump, which could cause disease.
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We practice restraint — harvesting small amounts to meet our production needs while leaving enough for the plant to thrive and for traditional weaving communities, wildlife, and ecosystems.
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Where appropriate, we acknowledge the plant and land, recognising that harakeke sustains both people and nature.
