Harakeke

Harakeke is the name given by Maori to the important plant called Flax by British immigrants. Its botanical name is Phormium tenax. It is very different to the Northern Hemisphere flax, Linum Isitatissimum.
P. tenax occurs naturally in New Zealand and  Norfolk Island, and along with a similar plant (Phormium. colensoi, which is endemic to New Zealand) it has played an important part in the cultural and economic history of New Zealand for both Maori and the later British settlers. More recently New Zealand flax has been widely distributed to temperate regions of the world as ornamental garden plants; and to lesser extent for fibre production.
I saw this one out at Westgate Mall this afternoon, when S and I went out to support Mr H who had gone to see the out of hours doctor there. Nothing serious, and he was good to go with pain relief and antibiotic.