Over 1,000 kōwhai have been planted by MRT volunteers over the years on Motutapu. In flower, kōwhai is a magnet for nectar feeders like tūī, korimako (bellbird), kākā and tauhou (wax-eye). The distinctive yellow flowers and the birds they attract always grab the attention of our volunteers and are a wonderful reward for all the hard work they put into the restoration project.

If you think the kōwhai tree in your garden or local park appears bare and poorly, kererū (wood pigeon) may be visiting to feed when you’re not looking. During late winter and spring these birds systematically strip the protein and calcium-rich foliage in preparation for nesting. The kōwhai moth’s caterpillar also routinely defoliates the tree.

In te reo Māori, kōwhai means “yellow”. Planted around Māori pā sites, the flowering trees drew birds within easy hunting distance for a good part of the year. Māori found the extremely strong but flexible wood valuable for building and weaponry, and for making snares and traps such as hīnaki, basket-like fishing traps.

Kōwhai is a leguminous plant, a member of the pea family. These increase soil fertility, fixing nitrogen by means of root nodules. The tree itself germinates well from seed, provided the tough coating is chitted or pierced with clippers or sandpaper, and soaked overnight to absorb water.

Āotearoa has eight distinct species of kōwhai, with relatives in several other parts of the world. The form favoured for planting on Motutapu is Sophora microphylla (small leaved kōwhai), a tree especially suited to the diverse island conditions from clifftops to wetlands. Sophora chathamica (coastal kōwhai) is also represented on the island in exposed sites on the maturing forest margins where it flourishes.