The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

I am trying to find the traditional use of Kaka Beak by the Maori. I can't seem to find much, apart from this:
The Kaka Beak was used by the Maori to feed caged Tuis. The native birds were kept in captivity to attract and capture other birds. The bright red flowers are held in groups from arching stems, well clear of the delicate fern like foliage. Each flower holds nectar at the base of the flower attracting Tuis & other nectar-attracted birds.

If anyone could help me add to this I would be most appreciative.

Oral records and traditions on the use of ngutu kaka are now sketchy at best - and it has been considered a priority by DOC to find out what ethnobotanical information on this genus still exists. Irrespective, it is clear that the two species of the genus were taonga - probably because they have red flowers and whero / wero was a colour of currency to iwi (as was shown with Hebe speciosa - which was traded by northern iwi interacting with southern iwi). Various accounts suggest that Clianthus flowers were worn in the ears, and the species were certainly grown around kainga and portage sites - in fact some of the first collections ever made came from kainga. Could I suggest you try emailing Don McLean ([email protected]) who heads the recovery team for this genus and ask him for further contacts - as he has them amongst Ngati Porou and Tuhoe, where the best oral traditions are still kept.

Thank you so much Peter- that information was extremely helpful. I have emailed Don McLean and hopefully that may lead somewhere. However if not, I think I have all the information sufficient. Many thanks.

Hi Charlotte, I have heard via East Coast Maori that the unripe seed pods were eaten in the same way as we eat new pea pods. If you get hold of Graeme Atkins who works for DOC on the East Coast. He might know of some medicinal uses

Kia ora Charlotte ,my name is Graeme Atkins and I work for DoC at the East Cape .I can confirm what Peter and Mike have said .Several years ago an old kuia from home told me that they regularly ate the pods from plants. Many historical records of the species former distribution are associated with pa and kainga .She could also recall plants been used to lure tui and kaka to there demise for seasonal harvest .So it seems that plants around the whare were not just there for aesthetic purposes .In former times , in a land lacking in natural vegetable protein, ngutukaka would have been an abundant food resource to be treasured. They are delicious .

Thanks Graeme, I knew you'd have a bit more detail to add!!