pigeonwood with dark berries the kererū cannot resist

Size
Height: 10–15 m
Lifespan
100–200 years
Diet
Not applicable (tree). Photosynthetic organism deriving nutrients from soil and sunlight through root system in forest environments.
Habitat
Lowland and coastal forests, often in damp, sheltered sites. Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with partial shade. Often found in mature forest understorey.
Range
Found in lowland forests of North Island and northern South Island. Most common from Northland to Marlborough. Also found on Chatham Islands.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Habitat loss from land clearance is primary threat. Browsing by introduced possums and deer. Climate change affecting forest habitats significantly.
Population
Populations are considered stable in remaining forest fragments. Species is common in lowland forests throughout its range but faces habitat loss.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native broadleaf tree, safe to handle
Conservation Note
Endemic tree; widespread in lowland and montane forests throughout New Zealand.
Assessment
NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
Te Ao Māori
In Māori tradition, porokaiwhiri was valued for its fruit which attracted kererū (native pigeon). Birds were caught and eaten. Wood was used for small tools. Tree was also known as pigeonwood because kererū fed heavily on fruit. Becoming fat and easy to catch. The name reflects this ecological relationship.
Glossy, leathery, saw-toothed leaves define the pigeonwood. Tall shrub or small tree. Gets the pigeons drunk. Grows to 15 metres in height. Straight trunk. Dense, rounded crown. Leaves are the story. Glossy, leathery. Reddish or brown mid-ribs. Saw-toothed edges. Dark green and shiny. Catching the light. Flowers are small, greenish, and inconspicuous. Appearing in spring. But fruit is the story. Oblong, juicy, red. As large as cherries. Appearing in summer. Fruit is favourite of kererū, the native wood pigeon. Birds gorge on fruit until too fat and drunk to fly. Stumbling around on ground. Tree that makes birds tipsy. Māori name Porokaiwhiri means pigeon food. Kererū would eat so much fruit that they became easy to catch. Birds were valuable food source. Tree was key part of hunting strategy. To see pigeonwood in fruit is to see tree of red jewels. Fruit hangs in clusters. Bright against dark green leaves. Kererū wobble on branches. Too full to fly. Tree of abundance. Of feasting. Of forest providing. Wood is hard and durable. Māori used it for making small tools. For handles of adzes. For digging sticks. Tree was also sign. Forest with pigeonwood was forest full of birds. Place where people could gather food. Pigeonwood is not a king. It is not a warrior. It is feeder of pigeons. Tree of drunk birds. One that makes kererū stumble. Forest is full. Pigeonwood hangs with red fruit. Kererū wobble on branches. Tree does not know it is hunting strategy. Does not know it makes birds drunk. It just wants to spread its seeds. Has been here for millennia. Will be here as long as kererū remember its fruit. Populations are considered stable in remaining forest fragments. Species is common in lowland forests throughout its range. Threatened by ongoing habitat loss and browsing by possums. Protection of lowland forest is critical for species survival. No one told it otherwise.