Opening of flax plantation

It has taken two years, many volunteers and a variety of organisations, but on Saturday Dunedin's new flax plantation (pa-harakeke) will be ceremonially opened at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.

A shared project between the ecosanctuary and Ka-ti Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki, the plantation has been developed over two years.

Ecosanctuary general manager Chris Baillie said many of the flax varieties were donated by the Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Others had come from Landcare Research at Lincoln.

The opening, which will include Ka-i Tahu tikaka (traditional rituals), will involve many of those who have helped make the plantation a reality.

A walk through the area would help people learn more about the plants, and how the Pa-Harakeke would function in the future, she said.