Skip to main content

Story: Conifer–broadleaf forests

Kawakawa

Image
Kawakawa

Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) is a common understorey shrub that grows in North Island lowland forest, and coastal forest in the top half of the South Island. It has distinctive heart-shaped leaves, usually riddled with caterpillar holes. Its clusters of berries ripen to a bright orange.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10059175

by Dick Veitch

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

John Dawson, Conifer–broadleaf forests – Coastal forest, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11672/kawakawa (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by John Dawson, published 1 March 2009.