Near extinct native plant returned to iwi

FILE

A native plant nursed back from the brink of extinction at Scion is today being returned to iwi at an official ceremony in Rotorua.

A rare white-flowered variant of the usually red ngutukaka (kakabeak) was last seen growing in the wild in the 1950s at Tiniroto cliffs near Wairoa on the East Coast of the North Island and was considered extinct.

"A chance discovery of a bag of seeds stored in a member of the public's garden shed, has led to the recovery of the native plant," said Brian Richardson, General Manager Forest Science, Scion.

"We've been working with iwi, the Department of Conservation, Landcare Research, and the Ngutukaka Recovery Group to preserve these native plants, safeguarding their survival for future generations.

"Over the last four years staff at Scion's research nursery have grown the rare white
ngutukaka from seed, applying their propagation expertise and increasing the likelihood of these plants surviving in their natural environment."

Through genetic testing, the plant's origins have been traced back to the Wairoa region on the East Coast of the North Island.

Karen Te Kani led the project at Scion's nursery.

"The white ngutukaka is considered precious taonga to East Coast iwi. About one hundred plants are being gifted back to Ngati Kohatu and Ngati Hinehika iwi to be planted back on their ancestral land.

"A block of land surrounding Te Reinga marae at Wairoa has been fenced off to keep pests out in preparation for the plants. We will also be providing iwi with a guide on how best to ensure the plants survival," said Ms Te Kani.

Ngutukaka is New Zealand's most widely recognised endangered plant and was one of the
earliest plants to receive conservation attention with DOC preparing a formal recovery plan in 1993.

Plants are particularly at risk from browsing livestock and introduced forest pests such as
rabbits and goats as well as deer and snails. Introduced invasive plant species such as
buddleia and gorse also compete for the same forest environment.