Habitat
Mānuka/kahikātoa is common throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands in lowland to low alpine regions up to 1800 m above sea level. It can be found in many different habitats including wetlands, river gravels and dry hillsides. When mature, it is very tolerant of drought, waterlogging, strong winds and frost and it can grow at less fertile, colder, wetter and more acidic sites than kānuka.

Cultural Importance
The Manuka tree has deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Māori people of New Zealand: The Manuka tree is considered a gift from the gods, and is a symbol of ancestral wisdom and the interconnectedness of nature and culture. The Māori call the Manuka tree taonga, which means “treasure”.

The Māori used the Manuka tree for many medicinal purposes, including:
Leaves: Used to make tea, reduce fevers, and treat stomach and urinary problems
Gum: Used as a moisturizer for burns and to ease coughing
Bark: Used as a sedative, mouthwash, and to treat diarrhea and fever
Honey: Combined with other native plants to create remedies

Ecological Role
The manuka tree plays many ecological roles, including:
Nurturing native forests Manuka trees are a nursery crop that helps establish native forests. They create shade and shelter for other plants, and seedlings can establish quickly in disturbed areas. Providing food and shelterManuka trees provide food and shelter for many animals, including bees, flies, moths, beetles, and geckos.

Kākāriki parakeets also use the leaves and bark to get rid of parasites. Capturing carbon Manuka trees can help capture carbon and improve ecologically degraded areas. Withstanding harsh conditionsManuka trees can survive in dry and wet places, and can withstand long droughts and frost.