Among many other uses, the leaves were ideal for binding and holding fractures in splints. A large leaf was used as the splint itself. It was cut with a sharp stone and placed under the fractured limb. Another one was cut at the base with a sharp shell and the outer covering pull

The inner bark was boiled and the liquid drunk for “Maori sickness”. This also cured sores and stopped bleeding. Sore eyes were bathed with the sap.

The woody fibre is considered poisonous. It was used formerly as a part of the Maori spearhead

The seeds, stems and leaves of this tree, if eaten are extremely poisonous. The poisonous principle is called tutin. It affects the medulla oblongata and causes paralysis and death. Though tutu was used in many safe ways by old—time Maoris, I consider that in these days we shou