Tree of the month
MĀORI NAME: Kawakawa ENGLISH NAME: New Zealand pepper tree BOTANICAL NAME: Macropiper excelsum
Kawakawa.
GROWING HABIT
Kawakawa is a herbaceous shrub that becomes a small, densely branched tree, growing up to 5-6m, with knobbly joints and branching stems. Small flowers form on 2-7cm greenish spikes on the female plant and, following pollination, become strongly scented and brightly coloured yellow-orange fruits in summer.
IN THE GARDEN
Kawakawa prefers a semi-shaded or shaded position (hence its role as an under-canopy for other trees in the forest). It flourishes best with moist, rich soil that is freely draining but will grow happily in most soils. Kawakawa will tolerate wind, salt spray or more open situations, but frost is a definite deal-breaker.
HOW TO PROPAGATE
Fruit can be collected from the female plant in summer to extract the seeds. These will take anywhere from a few weeks to six months to germinate. Hardwood cuttings can be taken just below the node; dip in rooting hormone before planting.
USE IN RONGOĀ
Every part of the tree is used in rongo¯a rakau.¯ The leaves contain myristicin, a compound known to aid the body’s anti-inflammatory response. Soothing kawakawa balms remain popular for this reason and are easy to make at home: tear a few leaves into 1-2cm pieces, massage gently and place in a jar with your choice of oil. Leave to sit for six weeks or more, stirring occasionally. Nowadays, kawakawa balms are also available in health stores and pharmacies.
Kawakawa leaves were also chewed for toothache. Leaves or bark were often boiled or infused into teas or tonics for stomach ailments or bladder problems. Use judiciously though, as they have diuretic and sedative properties!
IN THE WILD
Kawakawa is a significant understorey plant in coastal and lowland forests in warmer parts of the country. Typically found in the North Island and northern half of the South Island, it’s common from Te Paki south to about Okarito, North Canterbury and Banks Peninsula. If you live within these regions, you’ll see it in most native bush, especially regenerating coastal areas that are at least five years old.
The characteristic heart-shaped leaves are easily spotted close to the track as birds perch in trees and leave their droppings behind. Tracks at Auckland’s Muriwai and Piha beaches, as well as many of the plantings at Wenderholm and Orewa parks, have healthy specimens. I’ve also seen kawakawa along tracks in the Coromandel and Taranaki coastal and lower mountain areas.
MĀORI & KAWAKAWA
According to Ngai¯ Tahu, Tama-ahua travelled from the North to South Island in search of his wives – or metaphorically speaking, greenstone. After killing his slave, Tama-ahua and his three wives were turned into stone – hence the secondclass greenstone, generally black spotted, is known as hina-kawakawa.
For Ngati¯ Kahungunu, Tama-ahua’s first wife, Hine-ahu, was said to use leaves or branches of the kawakawa tree as a chaplet.
Wreaths of kawakawa (Rau Aroha) on the head is a sign of mourning. Tangata whenua of the marae also wave kawakawa leaves to welcome manuhiri, especially at a tangi.
WHY I LOVE KAWAKAWA
At my first property in Muriwai, kawakawa grew prolifically in the bush behind our house. I used it almost daily with lemon and ginger to make tea, and my partner found it delicious with pork roasts.
It is also one of the first plants my daughters learned to recognise, and now they go to pick the leaves for tea with an afternoon snack.
Not surprisingly, kawakawa is often featured on the menu at award-winning Wellington restaurant Hiakai, where chef Monique Fiso presents contemporary Maori¯ cuisine.
EXPERT KNOWLEDGE
Taranaki’s Sarah Roth is an experienced generalist ecologist with a Masters in Marine Science, working with salt and freshwater algae before moving on to terrestrial plants. Her goal is to continue to contribute to the reforestation and reintroduction of native flora and fauna for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.