Kaitaka aronui/pätea (fine cloak with deep lower täniko border and horizontal aho weft rows)

This kaitaka aronui/patea is outstanding because of its cross-over of styles. It is a classic kaitaka aronui/patea with narrow taniko (geometric weft twined patterned) side borders and a deep lower border, but has an additional trim of flowing dog hair, reminiscent of the prestigeous kahu kuri dog-hair cloaks.

This kaitaka was purchased by the National Museum from Christie's Tribal Art auction in London in 1981. The auction catalogue states that it was collected by Admiral Sir Malcolm MacGregor in 1862 while he was in command of the HMS Harrier, a Royal Navy warship deployed during the Waikato land wars and based at Manukau Harbour in Auckland.

The kaupapa (foundation) of the kaitaka is muka (NZ flax fibre), with the commencement at the top, which is carefully finished with an extremely delicate, flat plait of brown and black muka. The aho rows are twined in whatu aho rua (two-pair weft twining) technique, measuring a very fine ten whenu (warp thread) per centimetre, with 7 mm spacing between rows. There are four sets of aho poka (shorter shaping weft rows); four rows at the very top; four rows 140 mm from the top for the shoulders; four rows 240 mm from the bottom; and two rows 20 mm from the bottom.

The expansive kaupapa foundation is framed with thin side borders and a deep lower border of taniko. The side taniko borders are 20 mm wide and feature varying aronui (triangular shaped) patterns in black and undyed muka. Red wool on one side, and red-and light purple-coloured wool on the other, have been incorporated into the taniko design. The lower taniko border measures 10 whenu per centimetre, with variations in depth of 180-210mm. It is a complex combination of distinctive diamond and triangular patterns, and incorporates traditionally dyed black and undyed muka, and wool in red, green and white. Exhibiting subtlety, this cloak also features the fine recessed pattern in parts of the black areas of taniko.

Two rows of awe, attached to a muka plait, create a thick fringe across the bottom of the cloak and part way up the sides. The hair is distinctly different from kuri; future research may determine the dog breed. Some of the awe are bound in half-hitches with red wool, which perhaps could be later repair work. There is also an additional attachment of dogskin and hair along the proper right (the right side when worn) lower corner.