A rare treasure was welcomed onto Romai marae at the weekend when a new korowai (cloak) was blessed and named Tutaki at a service on Sunday morning. Feathers woven into the cloak were from Tutaki, a female kiwi who was released into Otanewainuku Forest in April 2007, and was killed by a vehicle on No.2 Road in May 2008.

The cloak is being held by Catherine Faulkner, weaver, and Dave Wills, trustee from Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust. Photo by Bryan Norton.

Something positive has come from this tragedy, however, as iwi traditions have been honoured by the use of the feathers in the weaving of the korowai.

The celebration to mark this unique gift was hosted by Nga Potiki during a special time of prayer at Tahuwhakatiki marae. Kaumata Rameka Farrell said their marae did not have a cloak and it would be treasured for use on important occasions and to honour young people at graduation ceremonies.

The weaver of the cloak, Catherine Faulkner, was delighted to have the task of using kiwi feathers for the first time.

'They were so soft I had to weave two together to get the right texture, and I was given a free hand in the design.”

The borders of the korowai include the wharenui, the name of the cloak and the emblems of kiwi, and is the fifth korowai Catherine has made.

She learnt the art of weaving from the age of 11 when she was growing up at Rotokawa near Rotorua, and was taught cloak weaving about 18 years ago after moving to Tauranga.

Trustees and volunteers from Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust attended the service.

'It is a fitting tribute to Tutaki to see this beautiful cloak and know that it will be treasured,” said trustee Dave Wills.

'We have lost one of the children of Otanewainuku Forest, but her memory will live on in this work of art.”

Tutaki was reared in captivity at Kiwi Encounter in Rotorua and released with three other captive reared birds in March 2007.

The other three birds are still thriving in Otanewainuku, though nesting attempts by the pair raised in Christchurch have so far been unsuccessful.

Iwi support and involvement are key components in the recovery of Otanewainuku Forest and the trust is keen to see these relationships grow.