Information for Juniors

Helpful information

  • There are three species of lancewood, all called horoeka by Māori.
  • Lancewood is a unique, small tree with lance-like foliage that changes as the tree matures.
  • Young plants have a very straight and thin trunk without branches and a cluster of long, narrow, leaves at the top.
  • Lancewood is a common plant found throughout lowland and forests of NZ.
  • Plants are either male or female.
  • The small, greenish-yellow flowers are pollinated by insects.
  • The purplish-black fruits are an important food source for whitehead, Tui and wood pigeon/kererū when they occur in autumn and winter.
  • In Māori lore, the flowering of lancewood was an indication that birds would be plentiful the following year, because the fruits take a whole year to ripen.

Information for Junior Secondary

Helpful information

  • There are three species of lancewood, all called horoeka by Māori.
  • Lancewood is a unique, small tree with lance-like foliage that changes as the tree matures.
  • Young plants have a very straight and thin trunk without branches and a cluster of long, narrow, leaves at the top.
  • Lancewood is a common plant found throughout lowland and forests of NZ.
  • Plants are either male or female.
  • The small, greenish-yellow flowers are pollinated by insects.
  • The purplish-black fruits are an important food source for whitehead, Tui and wood pigeon/kererū when they occur in autumn and winter.
  • In Māori lore, the flowering of lancewood was an indication that birds would be plentiful the following year, because the fruits take a whole year to ripen.

Information for Seniors

Helpful information

  • There are three species of lancewood, all called horoeka by Māori.
  • Lancewood is a unique, small tree with lance-like foliage that changes as the tree matures.
  • Young plants have a very straight and thin trunk without branches and a cluster of long, narrow, leaves at the top.
  • Lancewood is a common plant found throughout lowland and forests of NZ.
  • Plants are either male or female.
  • The small, greenish-yellow flowers are pollinated by insects.
  • The purplish-black fruits are an important food source for whitehead, Tui and wood pigeon/kererū when they occur in autumn and winter.
  • In Māori lore, the flowering of lancewood was an indication that birds would be plentiful the following year, because the fruits take a whole year to ripen.

Activities

  1. Research the difference between a young lancewood and an older tree.
  2. Find 3 interesting pieces of information that indicates the reasons why God created the lancewood in the first place.
  3. Why did Maori appreciate the tree?