Akomanga Raranga | Weaving Workshop with Alexander Sarsfield at Canberra Spinners and Weavers

Join Alexander Sarsfield in a Māori weaving workshop to be guided through Māori cultural protocols and the making of a woven putiputi (flower). 

The only catch? Alex will be conducting this workshop entirely in the Māori language. No language or weaving experience required. 

Nau mai haere mai ki te akomanga raranga nei, arā, ka ārahitia koutou i te tikanga me te raranga o tētahi taonga e te kairaranga, ko Alexander Sarsfield. Ko te mea ngahau? Ka kōrerotia te reo Māori noa iho e te kaiako. 

About the Workshop

Q: What happens in the workshop?  

A: The workshop is 2.5hrs in total and will have 2 parts. 

• The weaving session: It will run for around 2 hours, and Alex will only speak te reo Māōri during this time. Participants are welcome to speak in English. 
• Debrief: After the weaving session (and a short break) there will be a 30 minute debrief and Q+A session held in English.  

Q: What tikanga (cultural protocols) should I be aware of before coming? 

A: To follow tikanga, and for your wellbeing, please: 

• refrain from eating or drinking (other than water) during the weaving session. No chewing gum.
• do not participate in the weaving element if you are menstruating or pregnant, you are welcome to attend and observe

Nau mai haere mai ki te akomanga raranga nei, arā, ka ārahitia koutou i te tikanga me te raranga o tētahi taonga e te kairaranga, ko Alexander Sarsfield. Ko te mea ngahau? Ka kōrerotia te reo Māori noa iho e te kaiako. 

P: Ka aha tātou i te akomanga nei? 

U: E rua ngā hāora i te akomanga, kia rua ngā wāhanga. 

• Ko te wāhanga raranga: Ka raranga tātou me te harakeke. E rua hāora pea te roa, ā, ka kōrerotia a Alex i te reo Māori mō tēnei wā katoa.  
• Ko te kōrerorero: Ā muri tata mai i te raranga, ka kōrero tahi tātou ki ō tātou wheako. Ko te reo Pākehā te reo matua mō tēnei wā. 

P: He aha te tikanga mō tēnei? 

U: Kia whai tikanga: 

• kaua e kai, kaua e inu i te akomanga. He pai te wai maori. 
• kaua koe e raranga mēnā kei e hapū koe, he mate wahine tōu rānei. 
• he rawe ngā koha i ngā wā katoa engari kei te pai mehemea ko koe anake. 

 Location & parking details

• Canberra Spinners & Weavers, (inside Chifley Health & Wellbeing Hub), 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley ACT 2606  
• There are two car parks – both off Maclaurin Crescent. The upper carpark has several disability parking spaces. The lower carpark is larger.  Both entries to the building are wheelchair accessible. More details here. 

Important

• Registration is essential. Maximum participants 20 persons.  
• Persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  
• For any questions about the Canberra Spinners and Weavers and the workshop please contact Rebecca.Mayo@anu.edu.au
• For any questions regarding accessibility please contact admin.cass@anu.edu.au. 

About the Facilitator, Partners and Project

Alexander Sarsfield is a Māori artist and provisional psychologist of Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Hako descent. He was born on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country and is currently based in Naarm. His multidisciplinary practice encompasses textile sculpture, ceramics, traditional Māori modes of making, and slightly less conventional forms of performance. Working between a community and research-based approach, Alex tends to investigate themes of interpersonal relationships and sociocultural identity. 

Canberra Spinners and Weavers (CSW) bring together people interested in spinning, weaving and related activities. They encourage the art and craft of spinning and weaving in the ACT and surrounding region. In 2025 CSW received funding from the ACT Government to establish a dye and fibre garden at their studios in Chifley. Learn more.  

Living City: people, plants and place is a three-year visual arts and design program working with Canberra’s suburban communities and many urban natural environments. The program encourages accessible and inclusive, art-based engagement with urban spaces while addressing climate change, urban biodiversity, wellbeing and conservation.   

In 2026, the ANU School of Art & Design has collaborated with Canberra Spinners and Weavers to deliver the Living City: people, plants and place program. 

 The program is funded by ArtsACT and the ANU School of Art & Design.