Nikau tree

Nikau tree The Nikau tree is the only NZ native palm tree and the only palm that germinates so far south. Most palm trees grow in hot and warm tropical islands. In the early Maori years most times people ate the bulb shaped heart of the Nikau tree. Captain Cook and his crew tried the bulb shaped heart from the Nikau tree and the meal was known as the Maori millionaire salad dish. Collecting this food included destroys the Nikau tree to get it. Before bullets were made, many people used tiny strong seeds from the Nikau tree. It was used to hunt down birds for killing. Maori used Nikau leaves also called fronds, for making roofs for shelter or thatching. They used the Nikau leaves for weaving ketes and also other kinds of basket. To grow your own Nikau it will take about 20 yrs to grow and develop the trunk. By: Caitlyn