The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Again I have another question about Maori traditional uses... this time about Pohutukawa.
This information is needed for a Native Plant Collection project I am undertaking.
Any help to add to what I have would be greatly appreciated!

The leaves and bark of a Pohutukawa were utilized for a variety of medicinal purposes by the Maori people. The pohutukawa was highly respected and usually the tohunga extracted and made the rongoa giving it a tapu status. When infused, the inner bark treats dysentry and diarrhoea (contains ellagic acid). The nectar of the flowers helps alleviate sore throats. Honey is produced from the flowers. Essential oils can be extracted from the inner bark. Wood is hard and durable, and used for making boats, paddles, weapons and eel clubs.

I am not aware of any direct medicinal usage of pohutukawa - but there are plenty of books out there that will help you here. You could try asking Rob McGowan ([email protected]) - who teaches about Rongoa. What I know about pohutukawa was that many northern iwi had particular specimens that they regarded as taonga or tapu, some were sacrificed to, others were reserved as places to bury ones umbilical cord. Again I am sure you will find many stories like this in Philip Simpson's book "Pohutukawa and rata - New Zealand's Iron-hearted Trees (Te Papa Press)"