'I think raranga finds you,” says Tracey Robens.

The raranga (Māori weaving) instructor at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Rotorua is talking about the very personal journey that's taken her from knowing nothing about the art to being a full-time kaiako.

She's one of three raranga kaiako at the Waiwhero campus in the city, along with her colleagues Margaret Belshaw and Cori Marsters. Between them they teach tauira (students) from beginners to degree level.

Margaret and Tracey have completed their Masters of Applied Indigenous knowledge with Te Wānanga O Aotearoa and Cori Marsters won the 2016 Te Waka Toi award.

He has also exhibited his work nationally as well as internationally.

Tracey saw raranga after shifting to Rotorua from the Wairarapa in 2007, following a long time living overseas.

She enrolled in a one day a week raranga course, then went on to a Bachelor of Māori Art in raranga degree and the Masters degree in Applied Indigenous Knowldge in raranga, finishing study in 2018. Last year she was employed full-time as a raranga kaiako at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

So what exactly has immersion in the world of raranga provided?

'Weaving is who I am, not what I do. It has enabled me to find a safe space within te ao Māori where I can practice the ancient art of our tūpuna. It has also allowed me to adorn my whānau, hapū and iwi in kākahu (garments) again.

'Weaving is all about interpreting stories with harakeke (flax). By incorporating a holistic perspective within weaving, this gives a much deeper understanding of ourselves and our culture.”

For more information about studying raranga at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Rotorua visit www.twoa.ac.nz.