‘Kowhai’ derives its name from the Maori word for yellow referring to the yellow flowers which appear in bunches and turns the surroundings colourful in the early parts of spring. The Maoris are the ethnic minority of New Zealand. The bright yellow flower looks like a horn and has been a favourite of the people of New Zealand for many years and that’s why it was selected as the national flower of the country.

The people of New Zealand love the Kowhai and it is a part of their everyday life. The flowers are found to grace their gardens, it is preserved as bonsai or kept as pot plants. Moreover, the petals of the flower are the source of a yellow dye. The sturdy wood is used for fencing purposes.

But the most notable aspect of the Kowhai is its uses for medicinal purposes. The bark, leaves, the inner side of the bark, the flower, as well as the juice is used for medicines. In the early days, ointments and poultices were made from the wood of the tree. The bark seems to be very useful and proves to be a remedy for a number of ailments including sprains, bruises, cold, sore throat, broken limb, skin infection etc. Therefore, quite appropriately the flower has been chosen as the national floral emblem.