Laukaupo'uli Tongan Weaving Class

For the past six years a group of women have met at the Onehunga Community Centre on a Monday night to take part in a weaving and craft class called Laukaupo'uli.

Laukaupo'uli is funded by the Harmony Trust  and Mele Lopasi Latu who is a counsellor and group facilitator explains how they came up with the name of the group "Laukaupo'uli"

"Laukaupo’uli is a plant that has beautiful flowers which bloom at night. They start blooming at the start of evening and reach full bloom at mid-night. Its heavy fragrance fills the evening air.  Moonlit nights have their own beauty. They close when the sun light touches their petals. Imagine a beautiful night with cool breeze touching the cheeks softly, sweet fragrance of night blooming flowers spread in the air, a mug of coffee or tea steaming in your hands and your family by your side, sharing therapy interactions. Nothing can be more beautiful, pleasing and comforting than this after a hard day at work"

The class also features a therapy session where the women talk about their lives and seek to support each other through tough times. Now, their children and grandchildren are also involved and Laukaupo'uli is a place where craft skills, language, stories and song are passed on.