Tamataiki Weaving
Tamataiki Weaving
Learn how to design and weave a mini tamataiki using natural resources with coloured wool
Contribute your taonga taakaro to the Waitangi 2026 ball games at Papamiharo
Back to Papamiharo 2026
Contribute your taonga taakaro to the Waitangi 2026 ball games at Papamiharo
Papamahi
Task 01: Research what a tamataiki is and answer the following questions
a. What is a Tamataiki?
b. What was its purpose?
c. How was it made?
d. What was it made from?
e. Whats the importance of Tamataiki?
Notes: Create a visual brainstorm about your
understanding and perspective of tamataiki.
b. What was its purpose?
c. How was it made?
d. What was it made from?
e. Whats the importance of Tamataiki?
Notes: Create a visual brainstorm about your
understanding and perspective of tamataiki.
Task 02: Making the mini tamataiki ball structure
a. Prepare a paper ribbon 3metres in length
b. Carefully cut 20 x 10cm long pieces of jute string and use to tie while continue to make circles with the paper ribbon in different directions.
c. Using the thick paper ribbon, create a ball shape approximately 150mm in diameter, tie securely with jute string.
d. Continue with another circle crossing in another direction.
e. Tie where the paper ribbon crosses each other to help reinforce the ball shape and durability of the structure.
f. Continue until all paper ribbon is used up and you have a firm and durable ball structure. (Good for play and throwing around)
b. Carefully cut 20 x 10cm long pieces of jute string and use to tie while continue to make circles with the paper ribbon in different directions.
c. Using the thick paper ribbon, create a ball shape approximately 150mm in diameter, tie securely with jute string.
d. Continue with another circle crossing in another direction.
e. Tie where the paper ribbon crosses each other to help reinforce the ball shape and durability of the structure.
f. Continue until all paper ribbon is used up and you have a firm and durable ball structure. (Good for play and throwing around)
Task 03: Plaiting, weaving, knotting fibres and wool.
a. Gather a variety of natural fibre resources (e.g flax strips and jute string) and make 3x 1-metre-long plaits.
b. Take one plait and weave in and out of the ball structure securing both ends to the structure. Then weave in the next plait to fill in gaps and so forth.
c. Find other threads or wool and continue to weave in and out of the ball structure so that the gaps start to close giving the ball a tightly woven textured finish.
b. Take one plait and weave in and out of the ball structure securing both ends to the structure. Then weave in the next plait to fill in gaps and so forth.
c. Find other threads or wool and continue to weave in and out of the ball structure so that the gaps start to close giving the ball a tightly woven textured finish.
Task 04: Get into groups of 2-4 tamariki and design a fun tamariki ball game using your woven mini tamataiki
Explore the possibilities of play with tamataiki by hanging hoops up high, using woven baskets as targets or goals or balancing the balls by stacking them till they topple. The fun is endless.
