Early Maori Clothing Design

If you owned a Tōpuni, it meant you were a Chief.

Prince William is wearing a Kahu huruhuru made from Kiwi feathers. The Kahu huruhuru is a traditional Maori cloak, and using Kiwi feathers to make it holds cultural significance. The Kiwi bird is native to New Zealand and is considered a taonga (treasure) by the Maori people. The use of Kiwi feathers in the cloak represents a connection to the land and the spiritual world. It also symbolizes respect for the natural environment and the preservation of indigenous species.

A Tōpuni is a traditional Māori cloak that is made from dog skin. This type of cloak is significant in Māori culture and is worn on special occasions. The use of dog skin in the creation of the Tōpuni reflects the resourcefulness and adaptability of the Māori people, as they utilized the materials available to them in their environment. The dog skin would have been carefully prepared and woven to create a durable and warm cloak.

The early Maori used mussel shells to help strip the harakeke leaves. The shells were likely sharp and could be used to scrape away the outer layers of the leaves, exposing the softer fiber underneath. This method would have made it easier for the Maori to access the fiber and use it for various purposes.

A Tatua is a type of belt.

Muka is the correct answer because it is the term used to refer to the fibre of the Harakeke (NZ flax) plant. The Harakeke plant is native to New Zealand and its fibre, muka, is traditionally used by Māori people for weaving and creating various crafts.

Piupiu is the correct answer because it is a type of skirt traditionally worn by the Māori people of New Zealand. It is made from flax fibers and is known for its distinctive appearance with multiple strands hanging down. Grass skirts are typically made from grass or leaves and are not specific to the Māori culture. Paraka and Harakeke are not commonly used terms for skirts and do not refer to the specific type of skirt mentioned in the question.

Kereru is the correct answer because it is a bird that provides colored feathers for cloak making. The other options, Kakapo, Kea, and Katipo, do not have a known association with providing feathers for cloak making.

Clothing was often made from the softer fiber found inside the leaves. This suggests that the leaves of the plant contained a softer and more suitable fiber for making clothing compared to other parts of the plant such as the smaller leaves, the middle of the Harakeke plant, or the roots.

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