Aotearoa / New Zealand

When an extremely rare native plant was discovered during road works on the iconic Forgotten World Highway, SH43, local iwi leapt into action.

The nationally endangered plant Brachyglottis turneri, or Manawa Kawa, as it has been named by iwi, is similar to an orchid with a heart-shaped leaf and small yellow flower that blooms from November to December.

It can only be found in 11 locations in Taranaki and a handful of places in Whanganui.

In December 2023, to ensure the plant population wasn't impacted by the sealing project, Ngāti Maru representatives took cuttings from the plants under the guidance of horticulturist Phillip Smith, from Totora Glen Nurseries in Palmerston North.

Smith propagated the cuttings and cared for them until they were ready for replanting in the gorge.