Originally Posted by bushman

Hi
Flax (Phormium tenax) is particularly hardy, which makes for ease of propogation and should not be difficult to move. If you desire to move it maybe its best to think about dividing it up. Cut back hard the older foliage, trying to leave the newer, softer growing leaves in the centre of each 'Fan' of lleaves., then with spades and forks and much muscle, separate out the 'Fans" or offshoots at the base, keeping a bit of the fibrous roots attached to the offshoots. If you seperate out the offshoots you could have many plants, to give to your friends or to plant in other parts of your property.
Just dig a hole for planting large enough for the offshoots and its roots. You can put more than one offshoot in per hole.
The plant you describe is what they look like growing here in the North of New Zealand. There should be smaller versions available. Phormium cookianum or mountain flax is smaller. We sometimes cut the spent seed heads off at the base and bring it inside the house as a dried arrangement, with other flowers etc...
a few links and photos from here
www.bushmansfriend.co.nz
Tony Foster