The Tapestry Trust of New Zealand

The Tapestry Trust of New Zealand is aiming to supervise the embroidery of up to 90 panels depicting the history of Aotearoa. The panels are being worked on woollen cloth grown, spun, and woven in New Zealand. The stitching is undertaken by members of embroidery guilds around the country using Appletons's 2ply and Strand woollen threads.

The Trustees willingly donate their time and travelling expenses but the artists are paid for their time spent on design and research. When the panel design is approved, after much consultation both by the recipient guild and the trustees, it is drawn on to the base cloth stabilised and mounted on to a specially made frame. Together with all threads and our artist's colour guide, it is then sent to the recipient guild for stitching.

This project costs money. The first donation was received from Baron Gordon Prestongrange who is the influence behind the Scottish Diaspora tapestries and the Battle of Prestonpans tapestries. A number of organisations and trusts have donated $5000 in support of our efforts. This is an on going process. We continue to apply for support from local organisations. Any assistance, however modest, is greatly appreciated.