Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) is a small evergreen tree or shrub native to New Zealand, commonly found in coastal and warm regions like Northland. It grows up to 5–10 meters tall and has glossy, heart-shaped leaves often marked with holes from caterpillar feeding — a sign of higher medicinal potency.

Used widely in rongoā rākau (traditional Māori medicine), its leaves help heal wounds, relieve toothache, and repel insects when burned. All parts of the plant — leaves, roots, fruit, and seeds — have healing uses.

It produces orange fruit on upright spikes, which are enjoyed by birds like kererū and tūī, and are edible for humans with a papaya-like taste and peppery seeds.