The taniko belt is unique to Aotearoa. It is a style of belt that is woven by the same method that was used to border fine cloaks of traditional cloaks.

This belt I am making is from modern materials.

 The measuement of this belt is 120cm long by 5cm wide.

Originally there was no graph paper and designs were worked out mentally or copied from other items maybe. I'm just guessing here.

But I like to make a design especially when a person is wanting to convey something special. I haven't made a belt for many years. I decided to make a pattern like this to have different traditional patterns represented and to also create a wave effect.

It's difficult making a belt to specific measurements because its not like a piece of cloth that you can cut to measure, nor is it like canvas where you can also cut to measure before you tapestry it. I actually started 3 belts and wove across four rows before I could get anything near the measurement.

When I finally got near the measurement I started weaving left to right rather than row by row so I could see the pattern developing as I wove. But still I had to unpick several mistakes and start again

At this point when I could see the pattern emerging as I wanted it  to, I took it everywhere with me and any spare moment I had I was weaving. Just obseved a few rules - I don't weave while eating or drinking and not when there is friction or any other negative element around. It's also the kind of thing that you can't really do while watching tv or holding a conversation because one little mistake could mean a lot of unpicking and starting again.

Days went by. There was a devastating earthquake in Christchurch. The weather was cold and rainy. There were floods in the lower North Island.

The weaving continued. I usually keep bandaid plasters handy when doing a project of this size because your fingers can bleed through continually holding the tension cords. Found that my hands have become well-seasoned over the years, hence I had no use for the plasters. But there were days when I couldn't weave because my hands seized up as a result of fibromyalgia which I live with. But the next day it was back to the weaving.

120cm make a big belt for a big person. I wonder who it will be going to. Maybe a grandfather or father, maybe an uncle or to someone for their services in the community. These belts are usually given to people like that.

It could also be used for the top or bottom of a korowai.

Here you can see the completion of the patiki element and the continuation of the pattern

The patterning of the belt has been completed here and this shows the back and the front workings of the belt.

Here you can see the finishing row which has been completed and now the belt needs to be prepared for leathering. I won't see this when it has been leathered unless the person who buys it sends a pic.