Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

A short historical account of the introduction of potatoes to New Zealand and their rapid adoption by Māori. There is a section on the contemporary survival of potatoes of forgotten origin in Māori rural communities. "In such characters as plant habit and vigour, flower colour, tuber shape, colour and texture, the Māori varieties exhibit a considerable range in variation." Illustrated are Urenika from Northland and Bay of Plenty (dark purple skin and flesh) and Karuparera. Crop Research Division found varying degrees of resistance to blight and some viruses in over 20 of the varieties.