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WSP Inaugural Matariki Pit Firing

29 June 2025

As part of a Matariki mid-winter social event, our members and friends got together the evening of the 28th of June to share a hāngi and decorate pots for our inaugural Matariki pit firing on the 29th of June.

Given only one of us had pit-fired before (just once), we were extremely pleased with the results we achieved. Here is the process we followed and photos of some of the finished pots.

Held at Caroline Hamilton’s property in Ngāhinapōuri.

  1. The pit was dug by Caroline Hamilton using a digger. It was approximately 3m long, by 1m wide, by 0.6m deep. Had two layers, but only the lower layer was used.

    We think it could be shallower for the next firing. The length was good though, as it allowed all pots to be laid in a single layer.

  2. Surfaces of pots were embellished the night before with various combustibles and colourants including:

  • Copper / cobalt oxides mixed with PVA glue

  • Copper wire

  • Cow dung

  • Banana peels

  • Seaweed

  • Seashells

  • Palm fibre

  • Dried fruits

  • Steel wool

  • Tin foil

Embellished pots waiting to be loaded into the pit.

 

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