Kopi (the Moriori word for karaka) were introduced to the Chatham Islands by Moriori. The Moriori people included kopi seeds in their diet, and carved the tree trunks with symbols of spiritual significance (dendroglyphs). Over time grazing reduced many stands of the trees. This relatively luxuriant area of kopi forest is in the Hapupu National Historic Reserve, which was established to protect the nationally significant tree carvings.
Using this item
Department of Conservation
Reference:
10067984
Photograph by Elena Sedouch
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