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Story: Shrubs and small trees of the forest

Kawakawa

Kawakawa

With its jointed stems and heart-shaped leaves riddled with caterpillar holes, kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) is one of the easiest forest trees to identify. It produces finger-sized spikes of flowers that ripen to a deep orange in summer. Sometimes mourners at Māori funerals wear wreaths of leafy kawakawa twigs (pare kawakawa) around their heads.

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by Alastair McLean

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How to cite this page

Joanna Orwin, Shrubs and small trees of the forest – Pepper trees: horopito and kawakawa, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13880/kawakawa (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Joanna Orwin, published 1 March 2009, updated 1 July 2015.

Comments

peter
04 March 2012
if you have access to a cold pressing juicer...juice the kawa kawa leaves and rub on your scalp for a week.....and drink the tea also....your dermatitus will improved markedly
Ni Jefferis
26 May 2011
Kawa Kawa has to be one of the best medicinal plant in New Zealand. It has magical properties. You will get all information on the net how to use this plant.I have had severe itchy and infected eyes and have hd great sucess.I gathered 2 leaves and crushed them in my hand and placed them on my eyelids for 1 minute.You can steep the leaves in hot water strain and take sips. It is a great detox.
Marie Foster
21 March 2011
I have heard on 2ZB talkback that the boiled leaves of the kawakawa tree are good for the skin. I have dermatitis on my scalp, and I would appreciate it if someone would help me get rid of this horrible condition. Many thanks. Marie Foster