Skip to Content

Glossary Item

Plant fibres - New Zealand flax : New Zealand flax

Effective 14 July 2015 to 4 March 2017

Preferred Term: New Zealand Flax

Other Terms:

Definition:

New Zealand flax (Phormium spp.) can be made in to a variety of fibre articles. Long strips of leaf may be processed (stripped, washing, bleaching, fixing, softening, dyeing and drying) and woven or plaited to produce basketry and mats. The leaves may also be pounded to make a fibre called muka which is used to make cordage and rope.