Tātarāmoa: The Wild Bush Lawyer of Aotearoa

Tātarāmoa (Rubus cissoides) is one of Aotearoa's most stubborn native plants and honestly, you have to respect it for that alone.

You might know it as Bush Lawyer, or if you've spent any time in the bush, you may also know it as Wait-a-While… and yes, that name comes from experience.

Those tiny curved prickles grab onto your clothes as you walk past, and suddenly you're not going anywhere fast. One minute you're enjoying your walk, next minute you're hooked up, slightly annoyed, and having a quiet word to yourself. Wait a while indeed.

But under all that attitude, Tātarāmoa has a long history. Long before it started ambushing trampers and hunters in shorts, it was - and still is - valued in rongoā Māori.

Tātarāmoa Bush Lawyer leaves and stems in native New Zealand bush - Tī Ani Wild and Organic Tea

What Makes Tātarāmoa So Special?

Tātarāmoa is a scrambling, climbing plant that weaves itself through the understorey of New Zealand's native forests. It's a member of the Rubus family - the same family as raspberries and blackberries - and like its relatives, it produces small, edible fruit.

You don't often see the berries, they're either up high or snapped up quickly by the birds.

It's the leaves and young shoots that have long been valued in rongoā Māori and traditionally used in different ways.

Modern interest in Tātarāmoa is growing, with native plants like this attracting attention for their traditional uses and natural plant compounds. It's a plant that rewards curiosity - the more you learn about it, the more remarkable it becomes.

Drinking Tātarāmoa for Wellness

In rongoā Māori, Tātarāmoa was used in various preparations to support the body. The leaves and young shoots were applied to skin complaints and wounds, and infusions were used to support general health and vitality. Like many of Aotearoa's native plants, it was understood holistically, as part of a relationship between people and the whenua (land) that sustained both.

As a tea, Tātarāmoa is gentle and earthy, with a subtle green, slightly astringent character that feels grounding and clean. It's a very different experience from the fiery heat of Horopito - another amazing plant we harvest on the farm - this is a quieter, more contemplative cup. Many of our customers find it a lovely daily wellness tea, something to sip slowly and mindfully.

We always recommend listening to your own body and speaking with your health practitioner, particularly if you have an existing condition. But if you're curious about what this remarkable native plant might offer, a daily cup is a gentle and nourishing place to begin.

From Our Family Farm to Your Cup

At Tī Ani, our Tātarāmoa is wild-harvested by hand from our family farm in the Owen Valley, near Murchison, on the edge of the Kahurangi National Park. It grows through the native bush there, scrambling through the understorey alongside Horopito and the many other remarkable plants that call this valley home.

Harvesting Tātarāmoa requires a little patience, a bit of strategic positioning and accepting that the prickles are probably going to win a few rounds. They are real but there's something deeply satisfying about working with a plant that asks you to slow down and pay attention.

We cut directly into buckets to reduce handling. We harvest carefully and sustainably, taking only what the land can spare and always with gratitude for what it offers.

Because Tātarāmoa is wild-harvested by us and not commercially grown, it's always limited - and sometimes available by pre-order only while the next batch is being gathered and dried.

The leaves are dried, cut and packed with the same care we bring to everything we make. When you open a packet of Tī Ani Tātarāmoa, a little bit of that valley comes with it - its birdsong, its stillness and maybe a couple of quick swear words followed by laughter.

What Does It Taste Like?

Tātarāmoa tea is earthy, clean, and gently astringent - like a walk through the bush distilled into a cup. It has a quiet, green character that feels grounding and restorative. Where Horopito announces itself boldly, Tātarāmoa is more of a slow exhale. It's the kind of tea you reach for at the end of the day when you want something simple and settling.

It pairs beautifully with a little honey to soften the astringency, or with a slice of lemon for brightness. Some of our customers blend it with Kawakawa for an earthy, warming combination. Have a play and see what you like best, we'd love to hear what you think.

What Our Customers Say

How to Brew Tātarāmoa Tea

Brewing Tātarāmoa is simple and unhurried. Boil fresh water and allow it to cool slightly - around 90°C is ideal. Add a teaspoon of dried leaves to your cup or teapot and steep for 5 to 7 minutes.

Drink it as is, or add a little honey and lemon. Try it blended with Kawakawa for depth, or with a slice of fresh ginger for warmth. This is a tea that rewards a quiet moment and an open mind.

Ready to try it? Shop our Wild Harvested Tātarāmoa Tea here and taste something truly wild, truly New Zealand, and truly extraordinary.