A staple in the diets of early Māori for its high protein content. It was prized for its resilient, fibrous strength and used to weave pāraerae/sandals to traverse the landscape. Tī kōuka also provided sugar for Ngāi Tahu sweet treats in the late summer.
He tino kai ki ngā Māori i ngā wā o mua, he nui nō te pūmua. I matapoporetia mō te kaha te take, ā i whakamahia mō ngā mahi raranga pāraerae hei whakawhiti i te whenua. Nō te tī kōuka te huka hoki hei kai mā Ngāi Tahu i a Matiti.
