The Knowledge of the Native New Zealand Flower, Kōwhai
In the rich tapestry of Māori culture, the kōwhai tree stands out as a symbol of renewal, strength, and practical utility. This vibrant, yellow-blooming tree is native to Aotearoa New Zealand and holds a special place in Māori knowledge (mātauranga Māori).
Medicinal Uses
The resin of the kōwhai tree has long been valued in Māori medicine for its healing properties. Traditionally, this resin was incorporated into rongoā (traditional Māori medicine) preparations[1]. Moreover, Māori women used a silk-like down derived from the outer membrane of kōwhai leaves to decorate their hair and faces, but also to cover burns and scalds, indicating its traditional application in healing[2].
Symbolism
The kōwhai's bright yellow flowers are often considered one of the first signs of spring, making it an important cultural symbol for rejuvenation and the natural cycle. Its strength and beauty have earned it a high regard, with its wood highly valued for carving and building, linking it to craftsmanship and cultural expression[1][3].
Role in the Māori Calendar
The kōwhai tree's flowering was traditionally significant in the Māori lunar calendar, marking seasonal changes and signaling the start of new cycles. The appearance of kōwhai flowers was often used as a natural indicator for timing various activities according to the maramataka, such as planting, fishing, and gathering[1].
The blooming of the kōwhai tree marks the planting season or spring, a time when Maori prepare and plant the soil for the year's crops, including kūmara. Interestingly, the blooming kōwhai tree is also a tohu (indicator) that kina and tipa (scallops) are ready to be harvested[4].
Cultural Significance
The connection between springtime and the kōwhai is so strong that it forms part of Mātauranga Māori. If it rains during the time of the year when the kōwhai blooms, it is known as ua kōwhai or kōwhai rain[5]. Bark from the kōwhai tree was used to treat bruises and wounds, and has also been used for skin ailments such as shingles, itching, and dandruff[6].
The kōwhai wood was used for a wide range of tools in and around the pā and māra (gardens), including making taiaha (wooden spears) and patu (clubs), wedges for splitting wood, matau (fish hooks), branches for kō (digging sticks), and bird snares[7].
The kōwhai tree is a popular choice for gardens and roadway borders around Aotearoa, adding a splash of colour and cultural significance to these spaces. The kōwhai flower serves as an indicator, or tohu, for the local maramataka, providing a tangible connection between the natural world and Māori cultural practices.
This article is part of a wider teaching/inquiry sequence about the mātauranga of the kōwhai. For those interested in exploring further, additional resources include articles, activities, and a recorded webinar.
In Māori creation stories, kōwhai is used in a whakataukī: I whea koe i te ao o te kōwhai? (Where were you when the kōwhai was in bud?)[8]. This question serves as a reminder of the tree's significance in Māori culture and its role in the natural cycle of life.
[1] New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (2021). Kōwhai. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/plants/35349/kohwai
[2] New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (2021). Kōwhai. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/plants/35349/kohwai
[3] New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (2021). Kōwhai. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/plants/35349/kohwai
[4] New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (2021). Kōwhai. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/plants/35349/kohwai
[5] New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (2021). Kōwhai. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/plants/35349/kohwai
[6] New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (2021). Kōwhai. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/plants/35349/kohwai
[7] New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (2021). Kōwhai. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/plants/35349/kohwai
[8] New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. (2021). Kōwhai. Retrieved from https://teara.govt.nz/en/plants/35349/kohwai
The resin of the kōwhai tree, embedded in Māori medicine for its healing properties, showcases the plant's health-and-wellness benefits, as it was traditionally used to treat bruises and wounds, and even skin ailments like shingles, itching, and dandruff. Furthermore, the connection between the kōwhai and science is not limited to its medicinal applications; the tree's blooming is an essential tohu (indicator) in the local maramataka, providing a tangible link between Māori cultural practices and the natural world, showcasing the significance of the kōwhai in science and health-and-wellness.
