Collospermum hastatum. Kahakaha.
Māori names
KAHAKAHA, kōkaha, pūwharawhara, pūwherowhero (in Beever 1991)
When in flower: tākahakaha
Domestic
As for Astelia solandri. Women used the snowy white downy fibres from the underside of the leaves to ornament their heads and hair (Colenso 1868a).
Eels cooked in small baskets woven of mauri or kohaha [sic] leaves (tapora process) (Best 1902).
Leaves used to make shallow baskets for hīnau meal, lined with hound"s tooth fern. Leaves woven into fillets and worn by girls (Best 1942).
An epiphytic plant used for making snow sandals (Williams 1971)
Tuaka or midrib of kōkaha used in hat making (Best 1907)