Kākābeak/ Ngutukākā/Clianthus maximus is one of New Zealand’s most special plants.
Seriously threatened by extinction, it is found only in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne hill country, where only 110 known plants remain.
While it’s the perfect plant for a garden, out in the wild it is struggling with a huge range of threats because it is so delicious.
It is eaten by deer, goats, pigs, hares, stock, slugs and snails.
The Urban Kakabeak project started to build on the DOC led Ngutukākā Recovery Group work to protect known wild plants, find and enhance new populations, and re-establish Ngutukākā in the wild.
The Urban Kākābeak Project works to build an urban population by
- Collecting and growing wild-sourced genetics to grow in secure locations
- Promoting the species and
- Promoting the importance of preserving wild-sourced Kākābeak genetics
- Sustaining the genetic integrity of this plant for ultimate release into the wild
Kākābeak like shelter and part shade (not blazing sun), often doing well against a fence or along the edge of other plantings. But they don’t like gloom. Slug baiting and/or night-time patrols for slugs and snails are essential!
Wild-sourced plant seed, picked when the pods dry out turn browny black and split open exposing two rows of seeds. Only then are they ready. Seeds are precious to the Project and we are always very keen to see labelled seed (Parent plant Shines, Falls, Murphy Rd etc.) returned.
Find out more
The Urban Kākābeak Project is located at 64 Waghorne St Napier 4110.
Contact [email protected] or find us on Facebook.
About Marie Taylor
Marie Taylor is the founder of Plant Hawke’s Bay. With a background in horticultural science and rural journalism, she has been recognised for her contributions to landscape revegetation and habitat protection, including receiving a Queen’s Service Medal and winning the Supreme Award at the 2018 NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards.
