The rewarewa, Knightia excelsa, (New Zealand honeysuckle) are lit up like Christmas trees this year, smothered in red flowers and tui and korimako and other nectar loving birds are gorging themselves. A tall slender tree, they stand out on the ridges and seedlings smother open ground in light wells.
Flower in bud
The flowers are large. One makes a handful.
I remember 5 or 6 years ago, the rewarewa didn’t flower at all. The birds must have suffered and it’s likely a poor breeding season followed. It’s not uncommon for species to miss a flowering. This year there are no clematis flowers. I wonder why.
From https://www.tanestrees.org.nz/species-profiles/rewarewa/
“Pioneer Europeans saw the decorative properties of rewarewa wood and used it in inlay and marquetry work. However, the timber was also used in bush tramways, brake blocks, and fence battens (Hinds & Reid 1957). Its common name is New Zealand honeysuckle, which refers to the timber’s decorative properties. It was, however, also called the ‘Bucket of Water’ tree as it is useless for firewood.”
Dream on Farm 
Nature is very clever!! Wendy, loving this series of our native flora, trees etc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sue. It’s reignited my love of the trees too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t it, when you start focusing on a certain topic and realise how much we take for granted! Even living in the CBD there are enough native plants on my walks to keep a smile on my face 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The town planners are catching on at last.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There has are some very old trees around the older part of Tauranga.
LikeLike
Yes its wonderful to see. In Whakatane a lot of the old trees have been removed but the council is planting lots of natives in the CBD.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whakatane CBD hasn’t changed that much since I walked around there as a teenager 🙂 Even entering the town. Something has always held it back from having a more energised feel to the place.
LikeLike