Te Kāuru

Our Māori name translates as ‘the source’ and has two distinct meanings, both of which relate to our institute.

Te kāuru references the head of a tree, river or stream, and the upper branches of te kōuka, New Zealand’s native cabbage tree.

Te kāuru speaks to us of the beginning of a chemical synthesis or the clues in nature that inspire our work. From these beginnings we create new molecules and technologies with the potential to heal people and benefit New Zealand.

In earlier times, te kāuru, the fructose-containing upper stems of the cabbage tree, was an important source of carbohydrate for Māori. The stems were cut, stripped of bark, steamed in a hangi (earth oven) and then often stored to provide a winter food supply. When required for food, te kāuru was either chewed or pounded and mixed with water until it resembled a thin porridge.

The analysis of native plant and seaweed polysaccharides, including te kōuka, is a significant strand of research at the Ferrier.