Weaving the past into the future

Tourist guides Sophia (standing), Kati and another, outside Hinemihi meeting house at Te Wairoa. Credit - Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: 1/2-029217-F

Jim’s mother Emily Schuster, herself a master weaver, cradling Jim on her back. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson

Harakeke (flax) strands drying in the ceiling of the Schuster’s workshop.

A picture of Jim’s great-aunt Guide Rangi (Rangitiaria Dennan) pinned to his noticeboard in the workshop.

Jim in front of an unusual diagonal tukutuku panel. The Schuster’s are helping to restore a number of these panels that were salvaged from a small meeting house near Paeroa, that was left badly damaged by Cyclone Bola in 1988. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson

Jim and Cathy’s workshop. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson

Jim and Cathy Schuster in front of a tukutuku panel that has some batons originally hand-carved by Jim’s great-great grandfather Tene Waitere. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson.

Piupius made by Cathy drying above the fireplace. Credit - RNZ/ Lisa Thompson

Photograph of an unidentified Maori group in front of the Hinemihi meeting house at Te Wairoa, New Zealand. Credit - Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: PAColl-6075-19

Hinemihi Meeting House after Tarawera eruption 1886. Credit - Alexander Turnbull Library. Ref: PAColl-2981-2

Hinemihi in the grounds of Clandon Park House, Surrey, England. Credit - geograph.org.uk/ Francois Thomas