Unfortunately, relatively little information about working with flax was passed on. This was due to the poor quality of Norfolk Island flax and the fact that flax manufacturing within Maori society was a skill, which women traditionally mastered.

However, the most remarkable achievement of the kidnapping was the production of Tuki's map; a unique record of Maori thinking. The map was originally drawn in chalk on the floor in Government House. Other maps were produced in this early contact period, but Tuki's is unique because it includes social, mythical and political information written at his dictation.

Two significant features of Tuki's map are the 'spirits' pathway' (Te Ara Whaanui) running the length of the North Island to Te Reinga (Cape Reinga) the spirits' place for leaping off into the underworld; and 'Poenammoo' (Te Wai Pounamu -The South Island) identified with information about two important natural features, a tree and a lake - presumably the greenstone waters of Te Waipounamu.

This is a reproduction of Tuki's map; the original is held in the Public Record Office in London.]]>
Tuki Tahua and Ngahuruhuru]]>
Flax]]> Thomson, John Turnbull]]> Image]]> Still Image]]> Watercolors]]> Art]]> Dunedin (N.Z.)]]> Nineteenth century]]> Flax]]> Landscape]]> Thomson, John Turnbull]]> Image]]> Still Image]]> Watercolors]]> Art]]> Dunedin (N.Z.)]]> Nineteenth century]]> Graham Metzger and Hana Pōmare]]> Cordyline australis]]> Flax]]> Landscape]]> Rivers]]> Fox, William, 1812-1893]]> Image]]> Still Image]]> Paintings]]> Watercolors]]> Art]]> Wairau River (N.Z.)]]> Nineteenth century]]> Phormium tenax (flax) was a useful commodity for both Māori and Europeans, and Dr Thomas Morland Hocken had the presence of mind to save this sheet, which Edward McGlashan had made from flax plant in December 1866. Hocken’s note reads: ‘This is a good specimen of his paper for books & shows how well it takes ink.’]]> Edward McGlashan]]>