Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

Ethnobotany of Kuta (Eleocharis sphacelata) in Bay of Plenty and Northland, New Zealand

Author
Kapa M
Year
2010
Journal / Source
The Journal of the Polynesian Society
Pages
131-148
Summary
Kuta or paopao (Eleocharis sphacelata) is a wetland plant of Maori cultural significance. It has special weaving qualities and is a biologically significant member of the wetland ecological community. Published information, and interviews with weavers and historians concerning traditional knowledge and practices pertaining to kuta is reported and discussed. Kuta’s indigenous whakapapa is seen to reflect its biological genealogy.