Basket Weaving Classes Near Me…
Where To Find Basket Weaving Classes in New Zealand
One of the most common questions I get in emails from potential students and messages on social media is: Where can I find basket weaving classes near me?
I was thinking about this recently and thought it would be helpful to put together a resource for people here in New Zealand who would like to explore the wonderful world of basketry.
Whether you’re interested in traditional willow baskets, sculptural weaving, foraged fibres or learning to weave with harakeke, there are some wonderful people around Aotearoa sharing their knowledge and keeping these skills alive.
This is very much a work in progress. I can only share what I know, and there are bound to be people and groups I’ve missed! If you have a suggestion to add, please get in touch. I’d love to keep this list growing into a useful resource for anyone wanting to learn to weave.
Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay
Nicola Basham — Go Willow
Nicola is based in Collingwood, Golden Bay, and teaches willow basketry to beginners and more experienced weavers. She also organises Go Wild With Weaving, an annual gathering of workshops exploring basketry and natural fibres, including willow, flax, reed and other materials.
Peter Greer — Willow Works
Peter is a master basket maker based in Onekaka, Golden Bay, who teaches traditional willow basketry and occasionally offers sculpture workshops. His courses are a wonderful opportunity to learn practical basket-making techniques and find out more about growing, harvesting and preparing willow.
Tanya Doty — Heartstone Baskets
Based in Upper Moutere, Tanya creates beautiful baskets using sustainable willow and other natural fibres, as well as her distinctive blessing stones. She also teaches basketry workshops, sometimes in collaboration with Peter Greer.
Make It Nelson — makeitnelson.co.nz
Make It Nelson hosts creative workshops with local artists and makers. Its programme has included both foraged-fibre basketry and harakeke weaving, making it worth keeping an eye on if you live in the Nelson and Tasman area.
Canterbury and Ōtautahi Christchurch
Diana Duncan and the Rekindle team — Rekindle
Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Rekindle explores resourceful craft and the creative possibilities of locally gathered and reclaimed materials.
Its workshops have included frame basketry using natural materials such as willow, ivy and tī kōuka leaves. Diana Duncan also works with willow and other plant fibres, and hosts a weaving club for people wanting to develop their skills.
Amberley Willow Farm — tamargusefibreart.com
This is my own willow weaving business, based in North Canterbury. I grow my own willow and teach beginner and more advanced willow weaving workshops, covering everything from functional baskets to garden structures and sculptural work. I also travel around the South Island to teach groups and organisations.
I keep my workshops small so everyone has plenty of individual guidance, and I offer private group workshops as well as public classes.
West Coast and natural-fibre weaving
Yvonne Hammond — NZ Textile Experiences
Yvonne, also known as Evey Weavy, is an experienced harakeke weaving tutor whose work includes kete and other functional woven forms. Workshops have been offered in the Inangahua and Murchison area, exploring traditional techniques and the preparation of New Zealand flax.
Check the website for current workshop availability before making plans.
Prashanti Lovegrove — Make It Nelson
Prashanti teaches harakeke weaving in the Nelson region, sharing techniques for making small baskets and other woven forms. Her teaching incorporates tikanga Māori and the careful harvesting and preparation of harakeke.
Otago and Dunedin
Coastal Otago Willows and Weavers — coastwillow.org.nz
Formerly known as Friends of the Taieri Willow, this is a community of people enthusiastic about growing and using willow for basketry.
The group periodically runs beginner workshops, where participants learn basic willow weaving and make a basket using locally grown willow. It also organises an annual retreat for more experienced weavers.
If you’re interested in learning willow basketry in Otago, this is an excellent place to start.
A final note
If you’re looking for a basket weaving class, I’d encourage you to contact the makers directly or join their mailing lists. Many workshops are held only once or twice a year, and some fill up quickly.
And if you know of a basket maker, tutor, weaving group or workshop I’ve missed, please let me know! I’d love to add more names and help connect people with the wonderful weaving community we have here in New Zealand.