New Zealand: Seed Collecting

Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupo showing some remnant native bush

I was lucky to go out today with a Brian and Helen, who know a lot about NZ native plants. We had permission to go onto Maori land to collect seed that will be grown up in Brian's nursery and then ultimately planted out on a local reserve.

Up in the Port Hills around Lyttelton Harbour

I used to think nothing in NZ would kill you except the weather and (very rarely) earthquakes, but I found out that this will too. New Zealand tree nettles have poisonous spines that can cause paralysis if you get stung enough times. A hunter who bush-bashed through a big patch of them died. But hey, at least they don't chase after you like snakes, or crawl into your boots like poisonous spiders (I'm looking at you, Australia).