Nikau trees

Nikau

By Amy

Most palm trees grow in warm tropics, unlike the nikau tree. It grows in a cold climate. Nikau trees are the only native palm trees in New Zealand and the only palm that grow so far south.

The early settlers, the Maoris and Pakeha eat the round-shaped part of the nikau. When you want to get the food, you cut and destroy the whole tree. It is because the round-shaped part of the nikau is near to the top of the tree. The tree grows up to fifteen metres tall. If people keep doing this, the nikau tree will soon die out or become extinct.

Nikau trees have certain parts that is very useful. The fronds are used for building roofs and they use the leaves for making clothings and baskets.