Rawirinui

Also known as Kānuka, White Tea-tree

Rawirinui stands as a foundational pioneer tree across New Zealand, rapidly clothing exposed hillsides and nurturing the return of native temperate forest. During the height of summer, entire hillsides turn snowy white under millions of small, fragrant blossoms that produce copious nectar for native birds, geckos, and solitary bees. Over several decades, its light, dappled canopy creates the ideal sheltered understory for slow-growing forest giants like rimu and totara to take root.