KО̄RERO / What To Say To Your Harshest Weaving Critic
Veranoa Hetet

Pictured: Dara Barton weaving a kete - Photography by: Soraya McConachy
It is very hard to look at a piece you have woven and see it for what it is.
It is so common for weavers, of all abilities, to be critical of their work. So often we look at our weaving and see only what we deem to be faults. It’s too crooked, there’s a mistake in that ara, the weaving is not tight enough, the weaving is too tight, the tension is out, the colour is wrong, the size is out of proportion…. the list of faults goes on.
This can be very helpful in that it may urge you on to weave tighter or to adjust your tension or to be more mindful of the preparation of materials. It can also be very harmful in that it can crush your confidence in yourself and in your hands.
It is very important to find a balance in your self critiquing of your weaving.
Always remember that weaving is a series of lessons that will continue to teach you for as long as you are weaving.
The next time you hear that critical voice inside your head I would like for you to think of a few things.
1. Even very accomplished weavers began their journey by weaving a humble kono and struggling with corners and with finding the ara.
2. Your weaving is a mirror of your emotions. If you are feeling out of sorts and unhappy with your weaving - it will show up in what you produce.
3. Remember the words “I am learning to weave. I will never be a Master weaver. As soon as you say these words - "I am a Master Weaver" - your mind will stop accepting any new knowledge. Say to yourself "I am forever a student”
4. If you can learn ONE thing with everything you weave - it is indeed a wonderful piece you have woven. It has served to teach you and so be full of gratitude for the opportunity this woven piece has given you to learn
5. Relax, breathe and enjoy your weaving. Be happy that your hands have this wonderful material to work with and to shape and form into something that will be useful for many years to come.
Happy Weaving!
Veranoa
PS: This is a photo of me when I was 13 years old - weaving my first kete. I thought then - "How on earth does my mum do this? It is so damn hard. I will never be a weaver"
It is so common for weavers, of all abilities, to be critical of their work. So often we look at our weaving and see only what we deem to be faults. It’s too crooked, there’s a mistake in that ara, the weaving is not tight enough, the weaving is too tight, the tension is out, the colour is wrong, the size is out of proportion…. the list of faults goes on.
This can be very helpful in that it may urge you on to weave tighter or to adjust your tension or to be more mindful of the preparation of materials. It can also be very harmful in that it can crush your confidence in yourself and in your hands.
It is very important to find a balance in your self critiquing of your weaving.
Always remember that weaving is a series of lessons that will continue to teach you for as long as you are weaving.
The next time you hear that critical voice inside your head I would like for you to think of a few things.
1. Even very accomplished weavers began their journey by weaving a humble kono and struggling with corners and with finding the ara.
2. Your weaving is a mirror of your emotions. If you are feeling out of sorts and unhappy with your weaving - it will show up in what you produce.
3. Remember the words “I am learning to weave. I will never be a Master weaver. As soon as you say these words - "I am a Master Weaver" - your mind will stop accepting any new knowledge. Say to yourself "I am forever a student”
4. If you can learn ONE thing with everything you weave - it is indeed a wonderful piece you have woven. It has served to teach you and so be full of gratitude for the opportunity this woven piece has given you to learn
5. Relax, breathe and enjoy your weaving. Be happy that your hands have this wonderful material to work with and to shape and form into something that will be useful for many years to come.
Happy Weaving!
Veranoa
PS: This is a photo of me when I was 13 years old - weaving my first kete. I thought then - "How on earth does my mum do this? It is so damn hard. I will never be a weaver"

The doors to our virtual wānanga opened in January 2015 so you can access quality teaching from the comfort of your own space, wherever you are in the world.
We are privately operated and non-government funded because we seek to maintain our mana motuhake so we can more effectively uphold the tino rangatiratanga and tikanga of Te Whare Pora.
Your course fees help to make all of this possible. Kia ora!
We are privately operated and non-government funded because we seek to maintain our mana motuhake so we can more effectively uphold the tino rangatiratanga and tikanga of Te Whare Pora.
Your course fees help to make all of this possible. Kia ora!
Empty space, drag to resize
Who we are
The Hetet whānau have a reputation for excellence in the practise and teaching of traditional Māori visual arts.
Our mission is to help whānau Māori reclaim this mātauranga for themselves and their uri.
We do this by providing an outstanding online learning experience within a supportive whānau of learners following a structured and proven path of learning called The Matrix® developed by Erenora Puketapu-Hetet and her daughter Veranoa.
Empty space, drag to resize
Get in touch
-
Our team works remotely from Waiwhetu in Te Ika a Maui and Otautahi in Te Waipounamu.
Our postal address is:
C/- Active Chartered AccountantsLevel 1/8 Raroa Road,
Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010
OR email us at: -
learn@hetetschoolofmaoriart.com
-
+64 21 2733278
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 10-4We close weekends and public holidays for whānau time.
Empty space, drag to resize
Copyright © Hetet School of Māori Art Limited 2025