Final answer:
The Hiapo from Niue is made from Tapa/Bark cloth with freehand painting, created by a traditional process that includes soaking, drying, and beating the bark from the mulberry tree.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hiapo (Tapa), which comes from Niue and dates back to the period between 1850 - 1900 CE, is made from Tapa/Bark cloth with freehand painting. It is a traditional fabric crafted using bark that is commonly produced in Niue and other Pacific Islands such as New Guinea.
The process of creating Tapa cloth involves the removal of bark from the mulberry tree, which after several steps, results in a white sheet that is soaked, dried, and beaten with wooden mallets. After the sheets are thin, they are layered and beaten into larger pieces which are then painted with intricate island designs.