Welcome

Welcome to the second Indigenous Plant Fibres Symposium, hosted by the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao, which builds on the momentum of our inaugural hui.

Indigenous plant fibres are taonga and have an essential role for indigenous communities across the world, including Aotearoa where our indigenous plant fibres such as harakeke, tī kōuka, pīngao, and Raupō are used for a multitude of purposes including designer outfits and intricate art pieces, to shelter and weed mats.

While the purpose of using these plant fibres may vary, mātauranga Māori and tikanga used to grow, harvest and transform these fibres is culturally significant.

Today, there is a growing interest in sustainable practises in all aspects of life and to collaboratively explore the potential of indigenous plant fibres in a circular bioeconomy.

This symposium’s theme continues with ‘Supporting an Indigenous Plant Fibres Value Chain in Aotearoa’, which considers cultural, social, and environmental impacts alongside economic opportunities within growing, processing, and product development.

When complemented with research, incorporating indigenous plant fibres into a circular bioeconomy can bring significant benefits. By utilising indigenous plant fibres, as renewable resources, and incorporating them into various industries, we reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources and decrease waste, contributing to a more sustainable future for our mokopuna.

Presenters

Dr Jacqueline McRae-Tarei, Dr Gloria Taituha, and Dr Rose Te Ratana

Ngā Wā o te Ahumahi Harakeke

Kristy Hill and Tama Hovell

Waiririki in Te Ao Rongoa

Katarina Tawiri

From Pā Harkeke to Publication: Kaitiakitanga, Cultivars and Community

Tamalene Painting and Dr Oscar Montes de Oca

Relocatable Harakeke Processing platform for rural economic transformation

Ben Scales

KiwiFibre Innovations Ltd

Dr Rangituatahi Te Kanawa and Peter Brorens

Te Whiri Whitau

Mark Henderson

Ngāti Ruapani Co-op / Biotenax Ltd / HHH Lead

Dr Alec Foster

Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao

Presenter Biographies

Kristy and Tama are Kaitiaki of a rongoā for the taiao called waiririki.

For 25 years, Kristy worked in the public sector, specialising in Treaty policy, and Tama practised in resource management law.  In 2020, only months after the birth of their daughter Tuwairua, they were introduced to the rongoā teachings of tohunga Hohepa Delamere through Emaraina Mihaere and Potikai Schaumkell.  They continued their training under Awhitia Mihaere and, as a result, turned their back on the law.  

It was here that they met fellow rongoā student Senyuan Zheng from China, who introduced the class to the garbage enzyme.  He trained under Chinese Dr Rosukon Poompanvong, the founder of the garbage enzyme. Awhitia knew Senyuan was carrying a taonga and asked Tama to look after Senyuan and this knowledge.  Tama and Kristy quickly experienced the power of the garbage enzyme, describing it quite simply as a rongoā for the taiao.  

The rongoā is based on a Chinese saying, "Xiao dao, Xiao dao - the fermentation path is a godly path”, which is consistent with Māori practices of fermentation, including whakamara, toroī, or kōpiro.  It was Emaraina who understood the convergence of this Chinese knowledge with mātauranga and gave the garbage enzyme the name waiririki after the hine atua Hineririki.

Katarina Tawiri has managed Te Kohinga Harakeke o Aotearoa—National NZ Flax Collection for more than 20 years, working as both a kaitiaki and researcher within one of Aotearoa’s Nationally Significant Collections.

Her expertise lies in understanding the whakapapa and unique property of each plant growing within this pā harakeke, and how these qualities can be applied both to traditional Māori weaving practices and to innovative fibre applications in an increasingly sustainability-focused world.

Katarina is dedicated to highlighting the cultural significance and knowledge associated with harakeke, while supporting an indigenous plant fibres industry that brings wellbeing to whānau and whenua.

Ben Scales is the co-founder and CEO of KiwiFibre, an Ōtautahi-based company pioneering a new class of advanced natural materials engineered from harakeke. KiwiFibre is replacing high-carbon materials like carbon fibre across industries from motorsport and marine to sports equipment, aerospace and industrial composites.
An industrial product designer by trade, Ben studied at the University of Canterbury, where he met co-founder William Murrell (Ngāi Tahu) in 2019, and were mentored by some of the world’s top material scientists. They started KiwiFibre in 2020 out of a belief that Aotearoa’s indigenous fibres could outperform synthetics, in terms of both performance and impact.
KiwiFibre has built a strong international materials brand serving global markets across Europe and the United States. KiwiFibre has also build proprietary physical and digital infrastructure for producing, tracking, planting and measuring fibres.  
Since then, KiwiFibre has led a series of research and development projects to produce high-quality harakeke fibre at scale, building on partnerships with Mark Henderson of Biotenax in the North Island, and Te Tapu o Tāne and Ngāi Tahu in the South Island. KiwiFibre is a proud member of the Harakeke Community Alliance.  
KiwiFibre has been recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025, Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2024, Fieldays Innovation Awards, and as a finalist for the 2025 Kiwibank New Zealand Innovator of the Year.

He specialises in fibres and materials science, with research focused on processing wool and plant-based fibres, developing biomaterials and composites. With an engineering mindset, Peter aims to improve fibre processing methods and enhance the performance of final products. His work includes research on harakeke fibre in both composite reinforcement and textile applications. He is also a proud associate member of the Massey University research cluster Te Whiri Whītau

Ko Te Mata o Rongokako te Maunga,
Ko Tukituki te awa,
Nō Waimārama ahau,
Ko Henderson tōku whānau,
He uri whāngai tēnei,
Ko Ngāti Ruapani iwi, Ngāti Hinekura te hapū,
Ko Mark Ashton tōku ingoa

I am a businessperson. But I don’t think of business as simply a way to make money. When it is successful, money is almost a by-product of one’s endeavours.

From 1980, as restaurateur in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia to Oceania film industry until 1985 then established with my family, ENZED UAE and Fleximak Ltd throughout the Middle East specialising in flexible fluid transfer products to the oil, gas, marine and construction industries, before selling to the US Gates Corporation in 2006. In New Zealand I concurrently established Seal Jet NZ in 1993, a seal manufacturer, which I sold in 2006. That year, my wife Soraya Hendesi and I founded Snowberry skincare which led to the development of our 22.5Ha Biodiscovery Gardens in Wellsford. During this time, we invested substantially in new-to-the-world peptide dermal delivery technology, demonstrating significant anti-aging outcomes supported by gold standard clinical trials. Snowberry was acquired by Procter & Gamble in February 2018. After running Snowberry for P&G for 4 years, and P&G departing the market here, our Biodiscovery Gardens now forms the basis of our kaupapa. Now a fledgling harakeke fibre products producer and lead facilitator of Te Hononga Hapori Harakeke | The Harakeke Community Alliance.

Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao | Portfolio Leader – Bioproducts & Packaging

Alec's work focuses on developing products and processes for the bioeconomy, where sustainable design and renewable resources drive economic growth. He works with over 100 New Zealand companies to develop new materials, products, and advanced manufacturing solutions - drawing on expertise in chemical engineering, materials science, and the biological sciences. Previously, he led a major European synthetic biology programme creating engineered microbes for environmentally-friendly materials. He is the inventor on more than 40 patents, with the wider programme generating many additional filings. Alec also contributes to sector direction through roles on the BioTechNZ Executive Council, the APPITA NZ committee, and as an advisor to MBIE legislation.

Key contacts

Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao | Portfolio Leader – Bioproducts & Packaging

Selwyn Insley