The pohutakawa is the Tree of Aotearoa, more affectionately known as the 'Christmas Tree' It goes hand in hand with long summer days, Christmas on the beach, and provides much needed shade, while its festive red flowers replace the British holly here.
The Maori call it rakaurangatira or 'chiefly tree'.
Legend has it that Chief Tauninihi saw the red flowers from his canoe and threw his red headress into the sea, convinced that he could replace it with something finer. When he landed he was disappointed to discover it was only fragile red flowers! Nevertheless these majestic trees were planted to mark the burial places of chiefs and their sons.
There is also the expression here that 'someone has slid down the pohutukawa root' meaning someone has died. No stranger than our 'kick the bucket' or 'pushing up daisies' I suppose.
Interestingly, the bark of this tree reduces inflammation and is a remedy for diarrhoea, dysentry, gangrene and chewing it helps toothache. The nectar is a wonderful remedy for sore throats.
Even its wood is naturally resistant to seaworms, which was soon discovered by shipbuilders when they arrived here.
There is a project here called 'Crimson Trust' which is responsible for replanting and preserving these trees in New Zealand.
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