Maori name given to:
Variously spelt Kowai and Kohai, and corruptedinto Goai (q.v.) by the settlers.
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i.p. 58:
«The kohai too, a species of mimosa covered with brightyellow blossoms, abounds in such situations where the stuntedgrowth is an almost unvarying sign of constant inundation.»
[Mr. Wakefield was mistaken. The Kohai is not a mimosa.]
1872. A. Domett, `Ranolf,' p. 261:
«`Tis the Kowhai, that spendthrift so golden
But its kinsman to Nature beholden,
For raiment its beauty to fold in,
Deep-dyed as of trogon or lory,
How with parrot-bill fringes 'tis burning,
One blood-red mound of glory!»
1873. `New Zealand Parliamentary Debates,' No. 16, p. 863:
«Kowai timber, thoroughly seasoned, used for fencing posts,would stand for twelve or fourteen years; while posts cut outof the same bush and used green would not last half the time.»
1882. T. H. Potts, 'Out in the Open,' p. 146:
«The head of the straight-stemmed kowhai is already crownedwith racemes of golden blossoms.»
1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, p. 131:
«Kowhai – – a small or middling-sized tree. . . . Wood red,valuable for fencing, being highly durable . . . used forpiles in bridges, wharves, etc.»
1884. T. Bracken, `Lays of Maori,' p. 21:
«The dazzling points of morning's lances
Waked the red kowhai's drops from sleep.»