I am Elke, an artist living in Waipu/Northland since 1999. 
The flax growing on our land inspired me from the start but it took some time to set up a lifestyle block to have time to start weaving. Around 2006 a local, fellow weaver showed me the first steps how to harvest, prepare the flax and weave simple baskets. 
In 2010 I joined Te Pa Aroha Weavers from Whirinaki where I  learnt about Maori Tikanga and weaving. Later on I refined my weaving with going through the full Hetet School of Maori Arts course.  
In 20018 I had the pleasure to participate in a weaving and healing journey in the Northern Territory/Australia. In 2023 I connected with weavers from Niue giving me yet more inspirations and connections. 
A saying is " the hand weaves and the mouth talks". Very true because weaving is a way of self-exploration, something that I was always interested in my career as a clinical psychologist. 

My weaving journey continues and I value to be a member of Toi Maori and a regular attendent of the biannual National Weaving Hui. Locally I am connected to the Mangawhai Artists. A true pleasure was to be invited to ColloborationZ Whangarei in 2021 and 2023 and to learn about how to include other mediums (such as copper). 

There is no bigger joy than meeting fellow weavers and colloborating with other artists.