Rooted in tradition yet distinctly contemporary, Bernadette Ross is a raranga (weaving) artist whose practice is guided by a deep respect for land, material, and cultural knowledge.

Born on a dairy farm in South Auckland as one of nine children, Bernadette’s early life fostered an enduring connection to the natural environment — the bush, rivers, farmland, and sea that continue to inform her work today. After an initial career in landscape gardening, a physical injury prompted a profound shift in direction. At 50, she enrolled at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, embarking on a four-year journey that would shape her future as an artist.

There she immersed herself in the art of traditional Māori weaving, completing her Maunga Kura Toi (Bachelor of Māori Art). Under the mentorship of master weavers including Bibbins Tangitu — renowned for her expertise in porohita and kete — and Rawhinnia Gray, Bernadette developed both technical precision and a deep cultural understanding that remains evident in her work.

Harakeke is central to her practice. Valued for its strength, versatility, and spiritual connection to the whenua, the flax is carefully harvested from the Auckland Botanic Gardens, and in the future plants gifted to her and now growing in Whangamatā, nearly ready for harvest. Many originate from Aotearoa’s National Harakeke Collection — cultivated from weaving varieties gathered from marae throughout the country in the 1950s. Among them, her preferred variety, Taeore, is prized for its length and supple leaf, allowing for refined and enduring forms. 

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Bernadette now works from her home studio in Whangamatā, where she continues to create her distinctive woven works, inspired by the landscapes and light that surround her - and where you'll usually find her happily weaving away.