Step Into Your Potential

Where Youth Lead, Culture Thrives, Industry Grows.

Cultural pou framework leading to enterprise, symbolising progression, guidance, and the integration of Māori values into business pathways.

Ready to Explore, Create, and Grow?

Learn hands-on skills with harakeke, craft Miro Locs, and unlock your creativity. Build enterprise skills, gain confidence, and connect with your whānau and community while discovering the cultural and creative potential of Aotearoa’s native fibre.

Harakeke is a life-force — a gateway to creativity, culture, and enterprise.

The programme supports the development of a future workforce and entrepreneurial pipeline in the emerging harakeke industry, equipping rangatahi with practical skills, cultural knowledge, and enterprise capability.

Through this programme, you will:

  • Create Miro Locs and woven products with your own hands

  • Discover how traditional skills can open modern opportunities

  • Connect deeply with Aotearoa’s heritage

This is interactive, creative, and unlike anything else available for rangatahi today.

Miro Locs hair design made from muka harakeke fibre Aotearoa New Zealand

Why Harakeke?

Who this Programme is for?

Miro Locs muka hair extensions created during Harakeke Enterprise Lab Waikouaiti New Zealand

This programme is for rangatahi aged 15–24 in Dunedin / Ōtepoti, Aotearoa who want to:

  • Explore their potential

  • Develop practical skills in weaving, fibre work, and creative enterprise

  • Gain confidence in leadership and creative problem-solving

No prior experience is required — only curiosity, energy,and a desire to grow.

What the Programme Offers

Practical Skills
Learn weaving, crafting, and enterprise techniques hands-on.

Enterprise Experience
Plan, make, and sell your own harakeke products.

Personal Growth
Build confidence, leadership, and stronger connections with whānau and community.

Creative Exploration
Experiment, make mistakes, and discover your personal style with guidance and mentorship.

What Makes This Different

  • New Pathways Through Harakeke — Develop skills with purpose, creativity, and real enterprise potential.

  • Mentorship & Guidance — Learn from someone who has rebuilt a harakeke-based business from the ground up.

  • Cultural & Practical Fusion — Connect with Aotearoa’s heritage while building modern, transferable skills.

  • Community Reach — Accessible through schools, community centres, or online.

“Spaces are limited, so step in early and start your journey with harakeke.”

the transformation

Rangatahi celebrating participation in harakeke programme Queenstown Aotearoa New Zealand

By completing the programme, rangatahi will:

  • Gain hands-on experience making Miro Locs and other harakeke products

  • Develop enterprise, business, and employment-ready skills

  • Build confidence and leadership growth

  • Connect with peers, mentors, and your whānau/community