Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

Uhiraurenga, Uhikoho

Taro cultivars. Described as "peculiar" by Colenso. Doubts they really were taro.. He never saw them. Uhikoko described as a common taro of the usual kind, but a very good one. Uhiraurenga was a sacred taro, not used for food, "only for tabooed purposes". "He taro tapu tenei, he atua, whanatu rawa te ringa kite hopu kia taona hei kai, rere atu ana" (Colenso 1880).

["Uhi" suggests yam, Dioscorea spp. Ed.]