This study was carried out to investigate the characteristics of handsheets made from nonwoody New-Zealand hemp (Phormium tenax) fibers that was not used before in Korea. The results were as follows : 1. Physical properties of bleached phormium fiber were satisfactory for handsheet forming. Specially, tensile strength was improved by adding bleached phormium fiber. 2. Opacity of handsheet with phormium pulp was fine, therefore it can be useful fiber to improve opacity of light-weight printing paper. 3. Filler retention rate was improved when phormium pulp was added, while drainage time was increased. 4. Phormium fiber has good characteristics as pulp for paper manufacture. So it can be valuable non-wood fiber resource if drainage problem is solved.