A tall tree (up to 28m high) known in the forest canopy for its symmetrical, conical appearance.
Rewarewais unique in New Zealand as is one of only two members of the protea family,Proteaceae, to have survivedthe ice age (the other is thetoruToroniatoru).
It has a finely textured bark and is found in lowland and montane forests in the North Island and Marlborough Sounds.
The distinctive red and yellowrewarewaflowers occur in spring, and their nectar is enjoyed by birds and humans.
Bees are also attracted torewarewa, and produce a delicious honey which is described as “dark, malty and complex witha sweet finish”(RobertVennell).
The seed pods are also a distinctive, curved shape which Māori tradition says inspired the shape of the waka.
European settlers liked the reddish flecked wood and used it for decorative purposes. It was also used in bush tramwaysand as fence battens, and by Māori as river posts and palisade walls.
It was useless as firewood though – hence its nickname, the ‘bucket of water tree’.