Kōwhai

Kōwhai is found throughout the country and is often used as an emblem of New Zealand. Māori were so impressed by the flower of this tree that they also use the word kōwhai to describe the colour yellow.

Kōwhai is best know for its brilliant yellow flowers that appear in spring and stand out among the forest greenery. We love to have kōwhai in our gardens. Kōwhai imagery is popular in art works and has been used on postage stamps and coins.

Native birds such as the tūī, korimako, kākā and kererū all benefit from kōwhai trees. They like to feed off the nectar of its flower.

Māori hold the trees in high esteem, valuing the durability of its hard wood and its many medicinal properties.

Because kōwhai is native to New Zealand we need more kōwhai to bring more native birds.

By Nova, Deimos, Maddox, Fern and Payton

Check out this kōwhai tree below made using Minecraft education.