NEW ZEALAND TREES THE WHAU

Korero (AEWS), Volume 3, Issue 4, 26 March 1945, Page 21

NEW ZEALAND TREES THE WHAU

By

Dr. W. R. B.

To sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander came many pleasant surprises when in 1769 they landed from the “ Endeavour ” in the East Cape district. The forest must have seemed like a new world, for almost every kind of tree was new to these botanists. Among them was an exceedingly handsome plant with large, palmate leaves, large clusters of white flowers, and spinous capsules that looked like chestnuts. This was the whau or hauama of the Maoris, and its nearest relative is said to be the sparmannia of South Africa.

The whau, once common in the northern part of the North Island, now is scarce on account of its being greedily eaten by cattle and horses. It is common enough on islands off the Auckland coast. Locally, it is found as far south as the northern part of Nelson. The striking appearance of the whau makes it a desirable ornamental tree, but its large leaves suffer in windy situations. It is, however, grown with success in Wellington, provided it is reasonably protected on the south and west.

The wood of the whau when dried is one of the lightest known, its weight being from 8 lb. to 12 lb. per cubic foot.

Oliver, Director of the Dominion Museum, Wellington

It is firm, not breaking down like the wood of the parapara. The Maoris used the wood of the whau for floats for fishing-nets and for small rafts on which they attended to their crayfish-pots. The whau grows quickly, and if cultivated —wild trees should be strictly protected—might supply a substitute for cork, at least for such articles as lifebelts.