Flax collection's new home aims to help weave wonders

A special collection of flaxes to be used in weaving has been planted in a new wetland development in Hastings.
The harakeke, or flax, was grown from about 50 cultivars collected by the late Rene Orchiston, from Gisborne, and donated to Landcare Research in Havelock North.
Hastings District Council became guardians of the collection last year, and raised new cuttings to be planted in the wetlands next to the Longlands roundabout.
The plantation was officially opened yesterday by Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule and Environment Minister Nick Smith.
Dignitaries and guests, including family members of Mrs Orchiston, pitched in with spades to help plant the final flaxes.
Mrs Orchiston passed away in October, aged 91.
Allan Orchiston, from Gisborne, said collecting the harakeke was his mother's lifelong work.
"Everytime we went on holiday we collected a few, from around the East Coast or the North Island," he said.
She started the collection in the 1950s, after noting the inferior material available for weavers.
They were cultivated on a half-acre nursery at her home in Gisborne, which was once visited by renowned botanist Sir David Bellamy.
Mr Orchiston said he looked forward to seeing the flaxes at Longlands flourishing.
"The flax flowers will attract the tuis and native birds will come here,' he said.
The wetlands project was a joint initiative between the Hastings District Council, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Landcare Research and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Mr Smith said at yesterday's opening it was important to protect New Zealand's 40,000 endemic species.
"Where New Zealand has an enormous challenge is that we have so many species that are unique to these islands," he said.
"Whether we be Maori or Pakeha these are special to New Zealand and part of our identity and that is why it is important that we protect and provide for them."
Mr Yule thanked the many staff who had worked to develop the site. "This is a great collaborative effort from a whole number of parties, it's solved a lot of problems and provided a great resource for mana whenua going forward."
He said a plan would be developed for appropriate maintenance and harvesting of the flax.