Ngā Rauropi Whakaoranga

This description is taken from Hammond 1894: "The perei is a variety of kūmara about which there are two opinions expressed by the Pātea Māoris. Some say the plant is indigenous, others contend it was imported in the Tainui canoe. It is described as like the taro in colour, but the kūmara in shape. It throws up a strong stalk, and produces five or six tubers from three to eight inches in length. This plant, before the introduction of the pigs, was quite common, specimens may still be found on the edges of the bush or around the swamps of the Waimate Plains."