One of the highlights of the Wattle Valley Walk is seeing the nīkau grove, planted during 1994. Nīkau, Rhopalostylis sapida, is regarded as the world’s southernmost palm. The large palm family, Arecaceae,is mostly found in tropical and subtropical climates. Nīkau is one of the few temperate climate outliers.

Tiritiri Matangi’s palms first flowered during 2010 and there is now a steady display of flowers and ripening fruit for visitors to enjoy. Nīkau flowers are carried on compact, much branched inflorescences. Separate male and female flowers are grouped into threes, a central female with two larger lateral males. The male flowers, with six stamens, open first. They soon disappear and female flowers open

Pollination is mostly done by small insects. A few small birds (hihi on Tiritiri Matangi) also seek the nectar amongst the sprays, collecting pollen on their feathers. New fruit which forms is green at first then ripens to a bright red to orange-red. Each fruit contains one seed. Kererū and kōkako are keen harvesters. Nīkau leaves were used by Māori for thatch, mats, baskets and wrapping food. Immature inflorescences and the young growing tip are edible when cooked.

The species name sapida means savoury, pleasant to taste. Rhopalostylis means club shaped style.