Kawakawa explanation writing

Kawakawa is a tree itś one of the most important traditional trees to Maori. The kawakawa tree can be found in the North Island and the northern half of the South Island.

It is important to Maori because the kawakawa tree can help you with medicinal problems. The Maoris believed that the kawakawa tree had medicinal properties. Maori use the kawakawa as rongoa to treat illnesses. The Maori wear wreaths of kawakawa on their head as a sign of mourning.

Maori use the kawakawa tree traditionally to treat cut wounds and rheumatic pain. The Maori chew the kawakawa leaves to heal toothaches. kawakawa tree leaves are also edible. You can use it to make kawakawa tea and you can eat the leaves. 

Kawakawa tree grows up to 6 metres tall. It has heart shaped leaves that have prominent veins and they are dark green to almost yellow and green colour. They are covered with holes made by a kawakawa looper moth caterpillar. The tiny flowers are in upright catkins like spikes.

upright catkins like spikes.