Mānuka

Mānuka, also known as New Zealand tea tree, is a tough, adaptable native shrub with small leaves and white or pink flowers.

Appearance:

• Small, narrow leaves
• White or pink flowers in spring
• Dense shrub form

Growth:

• Leaves 5–12 mm long
• Grows 2–5 m tall
• Thrives in poor soils and exposed sites

Uses:

Important for honey production and erosion control and acts as a nurse plant in restoration.

For regeneration and restoration projects, Mānuka is a versatile native species that grows well in many areas including those that are mostly dry but may get wet during seasonal floods, as well as in dry ground and on hillslopes.  It is effective in mitigating streambank erosion.

Cultural & Historical Notes:

Mānuka has long been used in traditional Māori rongoā (medicine), especially for its antibacterial properties.