KĀNUKA

KĀNUKA is a taonga species. Endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, this plant (also known as Kunzea Ericoides) is part of the myrtaceae family and is commonly found along forest margins and lowland and mountain scrub.

Growing up to 30 metres in height, KĀNUKA often serve an important function in regenerating native forest, by providing shelter from wind and shade from sun for other fledging plants.

Although nicknamed 'tea tree' by Captain Cook, due to the leaves being used for brewing tea, KĀNUKA was prized by Māori for its utility well before the arrival of European settlers.

This treasured species of plant continues to serve many uses for Māori communities today. Some of these uses are documented in this Storymap, which details the value and meaning KĀNUKA has for a specific whānau Māori in the valley of Whareponga, Aotearoa New Zealand.

(The forest is an extraordinary treasure)

...is about better understanding the meaning and value Māori give to te taiao (environment), ngahere (forest) and taonga (treasured) species.

Biosecurity matters can only be approached after first understanding how humans relate to and understand te taiao, ngahere and taonga species.

Māori beliefs, values and practices are believed to be intimately connected to te taiao – the natural environment.

They are grounded in an inherent understanding of the inter-relativity between humans, the ecosystem, the celestial spheres, and the entire universe.

Māori are diverse, so beliefs, values and behaviours must take account of whānau, hapū, and iwi differences, as well as a range of other factors.

Funded by the Mobilising for Action theme, and in collaboration with the  Centre for Indigenous Psychologies , this project provides an Indigenous Māori psychological perspective, acknowledging the relevance of Māori worldviews for the biodiversity space in Aotearoa.

While KĀNUKA has intrinsic value to Aotearoa as an endemic species, what value and meaning does it have for Māori who rely on it as a resource for everyday use?

As a member of the myrtle family, KĀNUKA is susceptible to infection from myrtle rust.

We wanted to know what is at risk of being lost if this biosecurity threat were to prolifically infect KĀNUKA.

With a rich history as the home of Te Aitanga a mate hapū, Whareponga is a remote area where there is still no electricity, but where KĀNUKA is prevalent.

We sat down to kōrero (converse) with three siblings raised in the valley of Whareponga, deep in the heart of Te Tairāwhiti, north of Gisborne.

The kōrero focussed on the interaction of the three siblings with this taonga species.

The whānau spoke of the multiple uses KĀNUKA has and continues to have for them and the people of the area.

Read through the information below to find out more.

KĀNUKA provided much needed utility for the hunting and gathering type lifestyle of early Māori in the Whareponga Valley. Being highly adaptable and capable of reproducing and growing prolifically, the plant had many uses, and no part of it went to waste.

The siblings knowledge about the utility of KĀNUKA grew over time, as plantations continually regenerated after historical deforestation. This led to kōrero about specific uses of parts of the plant, as detailed below.

Given the extensive utility that KĀNUKA continues to have for whānau in Whareponga Valley, the implications of myrtle rust infecting plants in the area would be devastating.

Yet, none of the siblings had heard of myrtle rust, and consequently were unaware of how to identify it, and the affect it could have for them and their relationship to KĀNUKA.

Due to its abundant uses, the knowledge of the utility and importance of KĀNUKA to Te Aitanga a mate should not be lost.

Some efforts are underway by some whānau to ensure the younger generations are exposed to and engage with KĀNUKA as often as possible.

This inevitably involves returning to Whareponga Valley and immersing themselves in the area.

Raising awareness of the utility and importance of KĀNUKA to the younger generations serves a purpose that extends beyond the regeneration and maintenance of cultural knowledge.

On a more practical level, it provides a strong foundation for educating about what is at risk of being lost if biosecurity incursions, such as myrtle rust, impact the area.

Watch the clip below to see how whānau are active in immersing themselves and their tamariki (children) in KĀNUKA plantations in Whareponga Valley.

Our kōrero with the siblings from Whareponga Valley highlight the importance this taonga species has for this whānau.

KĀNUKA is deeply embedded within narratives and memories of the past, and it's utility still serves the community in the present.

A biosecurity incursion to this area, such as myrtle rust, would significantly alter the relationships of the people to KĀNUKA, but subsequently also to associated practices and the surrounding landscape.

Without the opportunity to utilise KĀNUKA in ways that are pragmatic, yet also meaningful to what it is to be Te-Aitanga a mate hapū, much is at risk of being lost.

Therefore, initiatives that engage with the community in authentic ways to provide knowledge about and understandings of myrtle rust and its potential impact, would be a useful endeavour.