Tallest kowhai signposted

NEW Zealand’s tallest kowhai – located at Kitchener Park near Feilding – is already drawing more visitors because of a new directional sign at the entrance to the park’s southern walkway.

Recycled from waste tawa out of the park, the sign points towards the 20 metre-high kowhai that was discovered in 1967 and is believed to be about 120 years old.

Park Curator, Gavin Scott, said the tree was a park feature and many people asked where it could be found.

And visitors heading to the kowhai may also spot a “new” find, the native climbing plant, clematis paniculata, which had not been seen in the park for at least 15 years.

Members of the Marton branch of Forest and Bird discovered the climber, which features a striking white flower, on a recent visit.

Mr Scott said the “exciting discovery” lifted the species count and proved that such plants would regenerate if the suffocating weed, wandering dew, was removed.