It has played an important role in facilitating the gathering of weavers of Māori and Pasifika descent to meet, teach and learn from one another.
[1][5] Te Roopu holds national hui (attendance of which is required by a number of tertiary courses), regional workshops, publishes a newsletter, coordinates with research funding agencies and publishes books.
Emily Schuster of Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua was the first chairperson.
Cath Brown was also a founding member and went on to coordinate the production of the organisation's newsletter.
[1][7] Christina Wirihana is the current chairperson and Te Hemo Ata Henare is the deputy chair.