Over the decades, the Motutapu Restoration Trust has raised and planted both kānuka and mānuka in large numbers on Motutapu. They are both important pioneers in the battle to reestablish native forest on cleared land and vulnerable, erosion-prone areas. 

Kānuka and mānuka provide vital shelter for the succession of plant species that follows, from mosses and ferns to the longest-lived forest giants. They also provide food and habitat for wildlife and add significantly to microbial activity in the soil.

An issue with both kānuka and mānuka is that they have a high ‘fire’ quotient, due to high degree of oil in them making them highly flammable compared to other species. In the early days of the restoration programme, these species were planted in large swathes. When we realised they were potentially creating combustible fire material if a fire broke out in the forest, we changed our approach. We are now more selective about where and how many of them we plant. Now they are mixed with other pioneer species and not in large blocks.

Kānuka has emerged as a particular plant hero. It is much longer lived than mānuka, over 100 years in some cases compared to 60 years for mānuka. It is used as a pioneer, planted into retired pasture areas to create a sheltered, nutrient rich habitat for other species. 

With our mixed planting approach, kānuka's umbrella-like growth allows a wide variety of other species to establish beneath the canopy, well-sheltered in their early growth stages, but with gradually increasing access to light and nutrients as they mature. 

A stand of healthy, maturing kānuka is an impressive sight - straight strong trunks with shaggy flaking bark growing to as much as 20 metres, crowned with spreading dense foliage smothered in glistening white flowers during late spring and early summer.

What is the Difference?

‍At first, or even second glance, kānuka and mānuka seem closely related. However, mānuka (leptospernum scoparium) and kānuka (kunzea robusta) are now classified as separate species.

‍Mean v Kind

Mānuka in te reo Māori means harsh, prickly, unyielding. Kānuka describes the opposite of these characteristics. You may have heard the handy aide-memoire ‘kind kānuka and mean mānuka’ - gently grasp the leaves to feel the difference.

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Height and Form

Mānuka is multi-trunked, shorter growing, up to about 10m, and very often the brown bark is blackened by the growth of sooty mould.

Kānuka is more likely to have a single trunk and grows up to 20m. It’s bark is greyish brown and often hangs in loose flakes.

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Flowers

Mānuka flowers are about 12mm in size and the stamens are shorter than the petals. They are white, pink or even red and spaced out along the growth with no stem.

Kānuka flowers are smaller, found in dense clusters. They have prominent stamens extending beyond the petals.

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