Aute A4 Print

Aute – Broussonetia papyrifera

 

Introduced to Aotearoa by early Polynesian settlers, aute is a plant with deep ancestral roots across the Pacific. Known for its broad leaves and long, straight stems, aute was traditionally cultivated for its soft inner bark, which was beaten and felted into cloth known as tapa. Though its use declined in Aotearoa over time, aute remains a symbol of connection, linking Māori to wider Polynesian voyaging, fibre arts, and shared whakapapa.

 

This A4 print highlights aute's place in Māori fibre arts.

 

Text on print reads:

Scientific Name: Broussonetia papyrifera

Common Name: Aute, Paper mulberry

Use: Grown for its bark, which was beaten into soft cloth used for wrapping and adornment.

Date collected: 10/05/2025

Location: Rotoiti, NZ

Collection No. 2

The Fibre Room"