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Kōrero: Seaweed

Sea rimu

Image
Sea rimu

When referring to seaweeds, Māori use the word ‘rimu’. It is derived from ‘limu’, a term used throughout the Pacific. Sea rimu (Caulerpa brownii) is a small green seaweed found around New Zealand’s exposed coasts. The name rimu was also given by Māori to a tall native tree because its branches carrying fine scale leaves closely resemble the seaweed.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Iona Wassilieff

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.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Maggy Wassilieff, Seaweed – Types of seaweed, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/4589/sea-rimu (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Maggy Wassilieff, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.