Mistletoe Masters
Ben with earlier planted green mistletoe (Ileastylus micranthus) on Coprosma virescens in Ōtari
Two native mistletoes, considered locally extinct in the wider Wellington city, could be restored to Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush as a result of a Master’s study by VUW student Ben Wright. Ben’s thesis focuses around propagation techniques and the status in Wellington of the small green mistletoe, Ileostylus micranthus, or pirita, and the regionally endangered, nationally at risk, white mistletoe, Tupeia antarctica.
In 2023, Ben planted around 1500 white mistletoes, sourced from Wairarapa, onto host trees within Ōtari. Progress was slow, now the biggest white is maybe 10cm in height. Last year Ben planted green mistletoe onto host trees including mahoe and pittosporum.
New Zealand mistletoes are hemiparasitic, they can photosynthesise but rely on host trees for some nutrients. It’s rather special that some of the mistletoes sowed by Ben in Ōtari have been on trees established by the Kaiwharawhara Revegtation Group. Native mistletoes have declined across New Zealand due largely to possums, habitat loss and 
White mistletoe (Tupeia antarctica) two years after planting by Bena decline in native birds that act as pollinators and seed dispersers. With its forest restoration, predator control and huge increase in native birdlife, Ōtari is definitely shaping up as a healthy ‘laboratory’ for Ben’s thesis.
Ben’s current estimates are to produce a significant number of adult plants, both green and white. With most of the field work complete, he is now writing up data and expects to finish by August. ‘My hope with this project is that it will provide a natural seed source to re-populate Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, and that seed could be collected for planting around Wellington.’
Posted: 27 May 2025
