Project Crimson Trust

Project Crimson is a charitable trust sponsored by Meridian Energy in partnership with the Department of Conservation. It was formed in 1990 following conservationists' concerns that the pohutukawa was in genuine danger of extinction.

On 29 September 1996 Project Crimson's mandate was extended to include pohutukawa's cousin, the tree rata. Project Crimson is governed by a trust board that comprises representatives of the conservation, local body and business communities.

Trustees meet regularly to review Project Crimson's progress and allocate funds for community to plant, maintain and protect pohutukawa and rata.

By supporting and encouraging pohutukawa and rata conservation Project Crimson has seen more than 300,000 trees successfully established since 1990.

Project Crimson logo

Applications are invited for pohutukawa and rata project funding and close on 1 March annually.

Project Crimson's vision

"To enable pohutukawa and rata to flourish once again in their natural habitat, and to enjoy the status of icon in the hearts and minds of all New Zealanders." 

Strategies to support the vision:

• to inspire community organisations to undertake their own regeneration and protection programmes for pohutukawa and rata in their own region
• to develop partnerships with community organisations such as schools and maraes and Forest & Bird to be local advocates of Project Crimson's work
• to fund possum control projects to protect our national icon
• to increase the knowledge of pohutukawa to a world class level through research and through community and school education programmes
• to be the Metrosideros knowledge-bank
• to carry out one major project each year that creates national and international interest in pohutukawa
• to facilitate the planting of at least 30,000 trees each year in a widespread number of NZ locations
• to be an internationally recognised conservation success story
• to encourage domestic and international tourists to visit some of New Zealand's most significant pohutukawa and rata sites/stands

Kermadec pohutukawa, close up of
flowers, Raoul Island

Project Crimson's values

• Purity of focus
• Commitment
• Sound partnerships
• Integrity
• Credibility

New Zealand's Christmas tree

The blazing red flowers of pohutukawa around Christmas time have earned this tree the title of New Zealand's Christmas tree. Pohutukawa and rata belong to the genus  Metrosideros. In New Zealand, this genus is represented by two pohutukawa (mainland and Kermadec) and six species of rata vine, a related shrub, and three tree rata. Mainland pohutukawa (M. excelsa) occurs naturally in the upper half of the North Island (north of New Plymouth and Gisborne) although it grows from one end of the country to the other. It is easily distinguished from rata by the hairs on the underside of the leaves.

One of New Zealand's tallest flowering trees, northern rata, (M. robusta) grows throughout North Island forests and extends south as far as Hokitika. It usually begins life as an epiphyte (perching plant) high in the forest canopy. As its roots descend to the ground, the rata eventually smothers its host, often leaving a "pseudo trunk" of coalesced roots.

Southern rata (M. umbellata) is the most widespread of all New Zealand rata. Areas where this species grows range from high Northland and Coromandel outcrops to subantarctic Auckland Islands where it forms the country's southernmost forests. The most dense display of southern rata occurs along the South Island's West Coast.

Bartlett's rata (M. bartletii) has white flowers and pale, papery bark, which make it unique among New Zealand rata. This species was discovered in a forest remnant near Cape Reinga in 1975 and is listed as endangered. Only 30 adult trees remain.

Sacred trees

Pohutukawa and rata hold a prominent place in Maori mythology. Legends tell of the young Maori warrior, Tawhaki and his attempt to find help in heaven to avenge his father's death. He subsequently fell to earth and the crimson flowers are said to represent his blood.

Possibly the most famous pohutukawa in Maori legend is a small, wind-beaten tree clinging to the cliff face near Cape Reinga. The 800-year-old tree is reputed to guard the entrance to a sacred cave through which disembodied spirits pass on their way to the next world. Rata was often respected for its immense size, which provided, among other things, shelter for weary travellers.

Under threat

While the fortunes of pohutukawa and rata have changed for the better since Project Crimson's formation, these trees are still threatened by the following:

• The possum, with its voracious appetite for green leaves, buds and young shoots, eats many of these trees to death.
• People damage trees by using their branches for firewood, lighting fires under them and parking cars on their roots.
• Animals browse on young trees, and the forest under-storey that offers protection and nourishment.
• Weeds and grasses often prevent regeneration by smothering young seedlings.

Applying for funding

Each year the Project Crimson Trust funds a wide range of projects involving New Zealand's rata and pohutukawa forests.  Its aim is to help get these projects started and then to watch them flourish with local support. The funding is spread to ensure a good balance between pohutukawa and rata.

Past applicants include public organisations, community groups, conservation groups, individuals on private land (with a public value), marae groups and even sporting groups.

Projects must be able to demonstrate some public value, and must be focussed on the protection of pohutukawa and rata. Funding can be sought for possum and pest control work, research, pohutukawa and rata trees, fencing, general maintenance, propagation materials, weed control and other activities related to the protection and enhancement of the trees. 

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