Te Arawa legacy inspiring new generations of weavers

Te Arawa master-weaver Emily Rangitaria Schuster. Photo/Supplied

A book has been published to celebrate the legacy of Te Arawa master-weaver Emily Rangitaria Schuster.

Te Ringa Rehe - The Legacy of Emily Schuster commemorates 20 years since Schuster's death and recognises the important role she played in the revitalisation and conservation of Maori weaving over her lifetime.

Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa lead exhibition curator, Ane Tonga, worked in collaboration with highly skilled weavers Christina Wirihana, Edna Pahewa and John Turi-Tiakitai alongside the Schuster family to produce the book.

"It's been an honour to work with the Schuster whanau to pay homage to Te Arawa master-weaver Emily Schuster.

"This is the first publication of its kind and is a substantial addition to the scholarship of weaving and the practice of such a renowned weaver," Tonga said.

The publication enables new generations to learn about one of New Zealand's finest weavers.

Writers include James Schuster, Kahutoi Te Kanawa and Megan Tamati-Quennell.

James Schuster talks about his mother and the importance of this publication in continuing her work.

"These written accounts about Mum are precious especially for those mokopunatuarua, mokopunatuatorua, and future descendants who were born after she died," he said.

Born in Auckland and raised in Whakarewarewa, Schuster grew up with expert carvers and weavers around her.

She learnt the craft from her elders and also followed in the family footsteps to guide and perform at Whakarewarewa Village.

Somehow, as a busy working mother of six, she was also on many committees including the Women's Health League, which she was involved with for 60 years.

Returning to the work force in 1967 she was awarded the position of weaving tutor at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.

She travelled the world sharing the matauranga of weaving and working with other iwi to keep the traditional art form alive.

Her years of service to the community and to weaving was acknowledged in 1983 when
she was awarded the Queen's Service Medal (QSM).

Bringing weavers together and forming firstly Aotearoa Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Weavers and later Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa were among her greatest achievements and she chaired both committees until her death in 1997.

The vital role she played was recognised in 1994 when Schuster was made a member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The book about Schuster was possible due to sponsorship from Creative New Zealand and support from Te Puia and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.

To buy a copy of Te RingaRehe - The Legacy of Emily Schuster contact Rotorua Museum on (07) 350 1814 or email rotorua.museum@rotorualc.nz.