Foxton and Flax - Roadside Stories

A Manatū Taonga audio guide to the town of Foxton and its historic flax industry. Check out the Ministry for Culture and Heritage's audio guide in the image carousel above.

The sleepy town of Foxton was once home to a thriving flax-milling industry. Native flax was a vital source of durable fibre for Māori, who made it into baskets, fishing nets and clothing. An export trade began from the 1820s, and a major industry developed, with large mills around Foxton.

Flax and flax working,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/flax-and-flax-working

New Zealand flax species,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/flax-and-flax-working/1/2

Making woolpacks,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/flax-and-flax-working/5/1

Foxton and the coast,
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/manawatu-and-horowhenua-places/8

Archival audio sourced from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives, http://www.soundarchives.co.nz/. Sound files may not be reused without permission from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives (Reference number T428).

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Roadside Stories are a series of audio guides to places of interest on major road trips in New Zealand. Each guide tells the story of an attraction along the way -- its people, its history, its cultural and natural significance. For more information about Roadside Stories visit http://www.mch.govt.nz/roadside/