Meryta sinclairii, pukanui or puka is endemic to the Three Kings Islands, but is probably planted on the Chickens near Whangarei. It is found in coastal forest, grassland and scrub. With the exception of the taller kanuka dominated forest of Great island, Meryta is the dominant tree species on the Three Kings Islands.
A tree up to 8 m tall, with trunk up to 50cm across, it has brittle branches, and large glossy dark green leaves that can be up to 750mm long including the stalk and 200mm across. It flowers from August - April followed by fruit throughout the year. An extremely attractive and popular tree widely cultivated in northern New Zealand. Easily grown from fresh seed which often germinates beneath the parent tree. However, prone to phytophora and verticillium wilt for which there is no available treatment. Best grown in a coastal situation, in free draining soil. A Naturally Uncommon plant because of its range-restriction, it is abundant in the wild on all the main islands and a few of the larger islets of the Three Kings group. However, this situation could easily change if soil borne fungal pathogens current absent from the islands are introduced - this is a constant threat because marijuana growers are increasingly using remote offshore islands to grow their crops, and their crops carry these diseases. Further, should rodents invade the islands then the Meryta along with many other plants and animals unique to the islands will be under certain risk. The future of these islands is ensured only by regular visits checking for rodents and weeds, undertaken by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.