Substantial sand dunes with high iron content have formed around the Kawhia and Aotea Harbours.
He was baptised by the Rev John Whiteley in the Wesleyan mission at Kawhia in 1834 and given the name of Horopapera Tuwhakararo, a transliteration of the name John Zerubbabel.
Another serious threat comes from plant collectors who are said to have wiped out several large populations in the Kawhia district.