Hae - Harvested stems of the hiapo are left for a couple of days to dry out, before they are stripped.As depicted, the bark is stripped from the long stem of the tree.

Tutua (anvil) with the Ike (beater) and feta'aki (cloth made from beaten hiapo bark) on top.\n\nAfter constantly beating the Hiapo bark, a fine thin piece of feta'aki (cloth) is achieved\n\nThe 'ike' or wooden mallet used to beat the tutu. The faces of the ike has different grooves with specific properties and use during the beating process to get the fine thin feta'aki.

For women to be able to draw kupesi designs, the kupesi is initially woven into kupesi mats, which is used to print the design on the feta'aki before finishing off free-hand.\n\nThe kupesi mat is made of coconut sennit, coconut midribs and the coconut husk constructing a beautiful traditional tokelau feletoa design.

Different types of kupesi designs and motifs are used to decorate one ngatu.

Kupesi designs and motifs used.\nKupesi is the design printed and drawn on the ngatu. Each kupesi has a meaning, a history and place of origin which tells the place of origin of the ngatu and its makers. Often the kupesi drawn into a piece of ngatu marks historical events and co-relates to Tongan cosmology, seasons and the environment.

Ngatu making\nTonga is well-known as one of the Islands in the Pacific to practice the art of ngatu making. From our ancestors, ngatu making has been passed down throughout the generations and it has become deeply embedded within our beautiful culture. Production of ngatu is predominantly a feminine working environment with only minor assistance from the men. The beauty of ngatu making is the various processes involved, time and patience given towards this art.

Fohi - Once the bark is stripped from the stem, the outer bark is scraped off to receive the white inner bark. This process is known as fohi tutu. A sharp knife or shell is used for the fohi tutu.

Koka'anga involves the process of gluing pieces of feta'aki. The feta'aki is prepared to certain measurement by each woman in the koka'anga group and it is called a langanga, their individual langanga adds up to make one whole ngatu.

Kupesi mats are stuck on top of the koka'anga table and it enables women to print the designs during the brown colouring of the feta'aki.

Tataki - this is an important process in ngatu making. Once the newly made ngatu is completed, it is rolled out in the sun to dry. Careful hands are essential not to damage the ngatu until it is dry.

The men performing this ancient dance called me'etu'upaki are primarily dressed in ngatu. The picture highlights many different motifs (kupesi) showcased in the pieces of ngatu worn by the performers.\n\nKupesi 1: Tokelau Feletoa, an old kupesi said to have originated from the village of Feletoa, in the Vava'u Group located to the north of Tongatapu.\n\nKupesi 2: Ko e Palatavake, a kupesi depicting an ancient headdress said to have been made for the Tu'i Tonga, Bau.\n\nKupesi 3: Manulua, the manulua is known to be one of the oldest Tongan kupesi. This kupesi is thought to mimic two birds flying in circles of each other.\n\nFo'i hea is one of the decorative motifs used to decorate the ngatu, usually seen in three and drawn in triangular shape. It refers to things such as the three main island groups of Tonga, the three lines of kings among others.

Fashion and traditional wear\nFashion has introduced a modern use of the ngatu into our Society. Because the texture of the ngatu is very versatile, it has been used to make fashionable cloths. Also, ngatu itself is the traditional dance costume used in most of the Tongan dances. The use of ngatu in handicrafts is also highly noted, it is used as a decorative ornament and also adds a cultural touch.