Health properties
Topical wound care: bark and inner bark used as poultices and washes for cuts, sores, and ulcers.
Anti‑inflammatory/analgesic: applied to reduce swelling and relieve aches.
Antiseptic: used externally to help prevent infection in wounds and skin lesions.
Respiratory support: steam or infusions used occasionally for chest complaints.
Cautions: consult a qualified practitioner for medicinal use.
Traditional use
Rongoā Māori: inner bark, bark infusions, and poultices used externally for wounds, skin infections, ulcers, and rheumatic pain.
Practical applications: heated or crushed bark/leaves applied to affected areas; harvesting followed customary protocols and respect for the tree.
Cultural/ecological role: valued as a taonga species in wet-forest contexts; knowledge transmitted through whānau and rongoā practitioners.
Physical properties
Botanical: Laurelia novae-zelandiae (pukatea), family Atherospermataceae.
Form: medium to large evergreen canopy tree native to New Zealand, especially in lowland and swampy forests.
Leaves: glossy, lanceolate, evergreen.
Flowers: small, fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers borne in axillary clusters.
Fruit: woody capsules that release winged seeds; dispersal suited to damp forest habitats.
Bark/wood: pale, sometimes flaky bark; inner bark used medicinally; wood light and used historically for carving and construction.
Habitat: favors swampy, alluvial and lowland fertile soils; often found along streams and in moist forest gullies.
Growth: fast-growing in suitable wet sites; important structural species in wet-forest ecosystems.
Metaphysical / Energetic properties
Resilience and grounding: associated with endurance, rooted strength, and the capacity to thrive in wet, challenging environments.
Healing and protection: used symbolically for cleansing, protection of the home, and support during recovery.
Connection to wetlands and ancestral places: fosters attunement to waterways, forest guardianship, and stewardship of taonga species.
Renewal: invoked in rituals for regeneration, emotional stabilization, and community care.
