In Celebration of Tī Kōuka

It’s that time of the year again, our cabbage trees, tī kōuka have begun putting on their magnificent displays of abundant white flowers, attracting bees, moths and other insects with their sweet perfume.

They get their common name, cabbage tree, from the cook expedition who, like Māori, found that the young, unexpanded leaves in the centre of these trees were not only edible but delicious (although removal kills the tree/stem).

With their ability to tangle in the unsuspecting lawn mower or mulcher's blade, courtesy of their dead leaves, as well as their prolific, almost weed-like nature; it could be fair to say they may have fallen out of favour with many kiwi gardeners, landscapers and onlookers alike. However these trees are one of the icons of the New Zealand landscape, often breaking up our dark green and fluffy lowland bush with its lime green spiky foliage. Due to their hardiness and ability to grow out of seemingly any soil they are an important pioneer species, their dead leaves acting as mulch to encourage soil health and other native fledglings to grow. Their root systems are also incredible at stabilising banks and slopes, slowing down the effects of erosion.

Not only do they play an important role here, but to many people's surprise they are highly cultivated, and quite prized overseas. Europe seems to be especially fond of their appearance, as they commonly feature tī kōuka in public parks, private gardens and even planter pots outside cafes all over the continent, doing especially well in the south of England. The photo below is one located in Paris taking up a spot at the entrance of the Petit Palais, just meters from the most famous street in Paris! (Avenue des Champs-Élysées).

So as you’re walking along Te Wai o Pareiera, I encourage you to start taking notice of the brilliant display of one of our most ecologically important and internationally famed trees. Who knows, you may even be able to forgive them for all the extra minutes you’ve spent on your lawn on their behalf.