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Story: Tāwhirimātea – the weather

Kōwhai in bloom

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Kōwhai in bloom

A tūī sits in a kōwhai tree, whose beautiful blossom heralds the arrival of spring. Light showers during spring are known as ‘ua kōwhai’ (kōwhai rain), referring to the flowering of the tree at this time.

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GNS Science

Reference: CN45245/24

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Tāwhirimātea – the weather – The seasons, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8263/kowhai-in-bloom (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 2 March 2009, updated 1 March 2022.