The Islands (Moutere Rahui) A feature of this area is the volcanic lava rock, which has been used to create a small lava rock forest - representative of what you would see on Rangitoto Island The Islands are home to some plant species only found naturally on offshore islands, including: • Poor Knight’s Island lily (Xeronema callistemon) or raupo taranga and offshore island nikau species. Some of these were transplanted and saved from subdivisions years ago. • Tussock grasses and low shrubs within the aviary that house Campbell Island teal and Antipodes Island parakeet replicate the look of these sub-Antarctic islands • Tecomanthe speciosa – a climbing plant that was down to a single remaining wild plant on the Three Kings Islands. It was saved from extinction by the eradication of feral goats in 1946. Many vines have been grown from this one specimen, which is now a popular climbing plant • Pennantia baylisiana – one of the rarest plants in the world. This small tree from Great King Island (part of Three Kings group) was discovered in the 1940s • Elingamita johnsonii – also from Three Kings Island, it was discovered in the 1950s. It is named after the ship Elingamite, which came to grief on the rocks below the cliffs where it was growing. In addition, this habitat features: • Raupo (Typha orientalis) – a vigorous deciduous plant growing in aquatic areas, it does an important job filtering out sediment and helping to purify water. Maori bundle the long spongy leaves to make insulated cabins and light buoyant rafts known as mokihi. The semi-circular, air-filled leaves also make perfect covering for traditional kites and poi • Kauri (Agathis australis) – the 12m specimen near the entrance was transplanted from the northern end of the Zoo.