status The species is currently listed as endangered by the IUCN and is very rare to find in the wild. Therefore it is at great risk of becoming extinct, and without change in threats to the species, survival of the species is difficult. Therefore to stop such an extinction action is needed to restore both the habitat, as well as the declining populations of the species. There are various threats to wild C. puniceus populations. These include, but are not limited to general loss of habitat, competition for space and establishment, as well as introduced herbivores who feed on them. The specific effect of humans on the population of C. puniceus should also be noted. Through seed collection, destruction of habitat, as well as introduction of invasive species, humans have contributed to the decline of the population. However, not all contributions are recognized as negative as lots of cultivation, propagation, and building of new habitats by humans have helped the survival of the species so far. Currently the distribution of the species in the wild is limited to "the eastern North Island of New Zealand, in the East Coast, northern Hawke's Bay and southern Te Urewera regions" However, it was also rediscovered in a site north of Auckland recently. Cultivation Clianthus puniceus is widely cultivated today, and is interestingly one of the "first endemic plants to be grown in cultivation both in New Zealand and overseas". Due to the plant's striking flowers and form, seeds were sent from the gardens of Europeans in New Zealand overseas and to various parts of the world including California and England. Today, the plant is still cultivated in various parts of Europe. Even though in New Zealand C.puniceus was previously widely grown as a garden plant, it has generally been replaced by the more robust Clianthus maximus. However, it is cultivated in the UK, where it has given rise to several cultivars. Both the species and the cultivar ‘Roseus’ have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017). Gallery References External links ARKive - images and movies of the Kaka beak (Clianthus puniceus) Kaka beak photos Galegeae Trees of New Zealand Endangered flora of New Zealand Plants described in 1835