The great forests of Tane Mahuta hold a treasure trove of fungi (hekaheka), many only found in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ). Certain kinds of fungi were traditionally valued by Māori, like awheto (vegetable caterpillar) which was burned and used to make ink for ta moko (tattooing).
Fungi, plants, and animals live together, and all have important roles to play in our ecosystem. Fungi such as hakeke feed on dead wood, causing it to rot and returning its nutrients to the soil.
Sadly, some fungi have lost their place to live or have been affected by other changes and are now rare. Protection of Tane Mahuta is important for all his descendants – the fungi, animals, and plants.
Dr Peter Buchanan, Dr Bevan Weir, Māori Communications Advisor Pip Swift, and Senior Graphic Designer Nicolette Faville helped to create a wonderful educational resource for this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week).
Poster: He aha tēnei hekaheka? What is this fungus? Click to download as PDF
