Horoeka

Horoeka is also called lancewood. When it is a baby, it has spiked branches that point to the ground. The young trees look dramatically different from the adult ones.

The rarest kind is called fierce lancewood, because of its shark like tooth projections.

Māori used it for paintbrushes. It is quite a unique way to make a paint brush.

European settlers used the plant as bootlaces and for mending bridles and harnesses.

Deer, possums, feral cats and other pests are all a threat to the horoeka plant.

It is important to grow more horoeka because it is good for nature and the native animals and because it is amazing. We have it in our school!

By Abulfazl, Jay, Ava and Mackenzie