Steam baths were often prepared for various complaints. They were beneficial in many cases of rheumatism, deep bruising, and skin afilictions; for limbs after they had been broken and set; for women to relieve pain after childbirth, and for many other sicknesses.

In permanent communities, the hangis were dug out in the centres of the kitchens, which were always separate buildings, and used only for cooking purposes.

Bark was taken only from the sunny side of this tree, so that the tree itself did not die, as it was the Maori way of life to conserve all their food and medicine sources — not waste them. George Nepia, the Maori All Black, relates how he was “cured by kowhai”

t was, and still is, a tree known for its many herbal cures, leaves, bark and root all being of value......... I know of a case where the top of a finger was nearly severed. The old man bound the finger together with kawakawa leaves, and it healed quite easily.