Penguin Books Australia

Anyone can learn to make a plaited kete, one of the oldest and most popular of Māori art forms, from the leaves of New Zealand flax (phormium tenax). Te Mahi Kete gives detailed, step-by-step instructions, illustrated with numerous line drawings and black-and-white photographs, for preparing the flax and plaiting two simple types of kete. It also shows variations in technique for starting and...

Every kete has a story. This collection is drawn from the rich store of information and memories associated with kete - these much loved but often overlooked 'baskets of knowledge'. Some stories are short, others grow with the telling. All are told with warmth, humour and humility, giving us insight into how the humble kete so often helps to establish ongoing friendships and relationships.