Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

NEINEI (both spp.);  taritari āwhā, taritari, emiemi (D. latifolium)

neinei

D. latifolium grows in lowland to sub-alpine forests in the North Island. It is closely related to mountain neinei, D. traversii, which is found in the North Island and mainly western parts of the South Island. Both are wide-leaved species.

Northern tribes made a few superior articles of apparel from the leaves (Colenso 1868a, 1868b; Best 1907)

Channelled stems made valued walking-sticks (Colenso 1868a, 1868b; Best 1907)

Best 1925 describes a modern flute probably made of neinei. Mair, (ibid) says kōauau sometimes made from neinei. Also see Best 1907.