Wainui Rata

Wainui Rata was set up to to identify, record, protect, propagate and plant metrosideros trees in the Wainui catchment of Southern Hawke's Bay / Eastern Tararua. Currently, only 12 northern rata trees are known in this area. We have a three-pronged strategy to saving the Wainui rata. First, we are working with local farmers and Landcare Research to identify, record and protect existing trees. Secondly, we are propagating using cuttings from these trees to take genetic copies which are held at our nursery at Hastings. Thirdly, we are propagating from seed and cuttings with the goal of planting new trees to increase the number of rata in the district.