Tāwari (Ixerba brexinoides) is unique: unique to New Zealand; the only species within its genus; and only found in a few parts of the North Island. We find great groves of tāwari deep within Te Urewera, our vast pristine native forest. Here, tāwari grows to over 10 metres high, and has been described by botanists as one of the most beautiful of New Zealand’s native plants, striking in the beauty of both its flowers and foliage. So much so that the delicate white flowers of the tāwari were one of the few used by our ancestors for necklaces and garlands to be worn on festive occasions.
The tāwari flower is usually pollinated by bats and moths attracted at night to the white flower. Plentiful nectar is produced at the base of the flower, and it is from these divine pools of nectar that the honey bee, during the day, produces one of the finest honeys of New Zealand.