Harakeke or flax is a native plant to Aotearoa, New Zealand and is one of our most ancient plant species. Harakeke can be found growing throughout New Zealand. Its a plant with tall, green, sword-like leaves, black flower stalks with dull red flowers. Harakeke was the name given to this plant by Māori. The first European traders called it ‘flax’ because its fibres were similar to that of true flax found in other parts of the world. Although we still call it flax today, harakeke is really a lily.