Karaka trees grow in coastal and lowland forest. In summer they bear heavy loads of orange berries. Within each berry is a seed containing a lethal toxin known as karakin. Māori discovered that they could make karaka berries safe for eating by first baking them, and then soaking them in water.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Private collection
Photograph by Jeremy Rolfe
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.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou